I

THE TAO O F
CHIN G
Way to Divinatio n
Jou, Tsung Hwa .

Tai Chi Foundation

II

Dedicated to :
Tai Chi Foundation
All rights reserved .

First Printing in Taiwan March 198 3

Third Printing in Taiwan January 198 6
Fifth Printing in Taiwan December 199 1
Sixth Printing June 2000

ISBN 0-8048-1423- 1
Published b y
Tai Chi Foundatio n
7199 E . Shea Blvd . Ste 109-225
Scottsdale, AZ 85254


IV Contents 1

THE TAO SERIE S

by Jou, Tsung Hwa

1 . The Tao of Tai Chi Chua n

Way to Rejuvenatio n
Third revised edition is availabl e

2. The Tao of Meditatio n CONTENTS 1

Way to Enlightenmen t INTRODUCTION 7
Shows you how to open your mind an d
Chapter One : RAISING THE VEIL OF MYSTER Y
spirit . For the frist time in English, the Wa y
to enlightenmen t 1 -1 Returning to the Roots 15
1 -2 Ancient Chinese Wisdom 18
1 -3 The Four Symbols 23
1-4 The Eight Trigrams : Heaven, Earth and Humanity • • • • • • • 2 7
3. The Tao of I Chin g 1-5 The Structure of the I Ching 38
Way to Divinatio n
Chapter Two : THE MIRACLE OF DIVINATION
A new and refreshing way to understand an d
utilize the I Ching . 2-1 The Rationale for Divination 55
2-2 The Traditional Approach 62
2-3 The Master-key to Sound Judgment 69
More informations on page 405, 406, 407 and 408 .
2-4 The Plum Flower Mind I Ching 86


2 The Tao Of 1-Ching Contents 3

2-5 The Hu Tien Method : Shao's marvelous Pillow 94

2-6 The Hsien Tien Method : Entering the Fourth Dimension 104 13 . RA - - TOngre'n — Fellowship 169

Chapter Three : THE CRADLE OF CHINESE CULTURE

14 . /h D'y6u — Great possession 174

3-1 How to Read the 64 Hexagrams 11 3

3-2 Part I 15 . Qian — Modesty 179

1. Gidn — Heaven 11 7 16 . - Yu — Joy 184

•
2. - -_
Kun — Earth 17 . = Sul -- Following 18 8
122

3. • — = Tim — First difficulty 1 16 18 . GUI — Decay 19 2

-

4. _ Meng — Covering 130 19 . - Lin — Approach 19 6

5. — Waiting 13 4 20 . Guan — Observation 20 0

6. Song — Lawsuit 139 21 . Heshi —. Bite through 20 4

-

7. Rt _=_ Shi
= '-— Army 14 3 22. - - Pen — Grace 20 9

- -—
8. .L - - Bi — Loyalty 14 7 23 . *q _—_ Bao —Peeling 21 3

9. /j .... _
Xiaoxŭ — Small saving 15 1 24. - - Fu — Return 21 7

10. Lu' — Stepping 15 5 25. = = Wŭwdng — Innocence 22 1

11. Tai -- Positive 1 59 26 . Daxŭ — Great saving 22 5

12 . EE Negative 164 27 . Yi -- Jaws 22 9



4 The Tao Of I-Ching Contents 5

28 . .3a DAgub — Great passing 23 4 42. == - Increase 29 6

29 . Kan — Water 23 8 43 . Kui — Decision 30 0

30. Nt - - Li — Fire 24 2 44. GO-u — Meeting 30 5

3-3 Part II Hexagram 31-6 4 45. = Cal — Gathering 31 0

31. Xian — Influence 24 6 46. 1-f- Shag -- Ascending 31 5

32. — _ Heng — Constancy 25 0 47. _

12 Kan — Oppression 31 9

33. - - Tun — Yielding 25 4 48. Jing Well 32 4

34. Dazhuing — Great vigor 25 8 49. - - — Revolution 32 9

2x _ _
35. 1E1 )in — Advancing 26 3 50. Ding — Caldron 33 4

36. - - Mingyi — Darkening 26 8 — Zhen — Thunder 33 9

37. Jiaren — Family 27 3 — = Yin — Mountain 344

38. Kui — Opposition 27 7 53. Jian — Gradually 34 9

39 . CU — Limping 28 2 54. Guimei — Married sister 354

40. Jie — Loosening 28 6 55. Feng — Prosperity 35 9

41. Sun — Decrease 291 56. Lu — Traveler 364



6 The Tao Of I-Chin g Introduction 7

57 . Sun — Wind 36 8

58 . Dui — Lake 37 3

59 . Huan — Dispersion 37 7

60 . _— Ji — Bamboo joint 38 2

61 . 't' r Zhongfŭ — Central sincerity 38 6

62 . d ~ Xiaoguo Small passing 39 1

63 . — = Jiji — Finished 39 6

It is my intention that this book will encourage students to pursue a

64 . Weiji — Unfinished 400 course of self-development and to study life and nature, as it was th e
pursuit and study of these things that led to the creation of the I Chin g
in the first place . Most English translations of the I Ching emphasiz e
academic approach and therefore highlight the Judgments of the 6 4
hexagrams and their individual lines or Yao . In such books, divination i s
simplistically explained and the student uses coins or yarrow stalks t o
derive a reading consisting of general advice with respect to the hexagram s
and lines selected .
Although students using the I Ching in such a manner may receiv e
useful information and advice, the reading is very often general an d
composed of archaic language . More often, students are left with doubt s
regarding proper interpretation and cannot use their own intelligenc e
to determine the true meaning . In addition, serious students hav e
unanswered questions, such as the following :

"How were the hexagrams derived and their meanin g

determined ?
What is Yin and Yang and what relation do these con-
cepts have to the hexagrams ?

8 The Tao Of 1-Ching
Why does divination work and for what purpose ?
What relation does the I Ching have to my life ?
How can I learn to divinate better? "
Finally, the student puts all of his or her questions together an d
summarizes as follows :
"The I Ching claims to be derived from nature in the simplest way ,
yet I do not find it simple . If the principles are simple, why can I no t
use the same principles to understand my life better? " Anyone who ha s
encountered these roadblocks and asked these questions will find th e
answers in this book . I would like to give some hints here on th e
approach to understanding the I Ching that will be most effective .
First in order to understand the I Ching, we must be free of a
scientific or regimented type of thinking . Taoist philosophy, in general ,
and the I Ching, particularly, are very different from modern science . The
philosophy of the I Ching goes beyond the scope of "science ." The goa l
of the traditional scientist is to achieve standards of knowledge and then
expand upon those standards . To standardize, the scientist uses a
"scientific method ." That which cannot be measured, demonstrated i n
rigidly controlled experiments, or proven by meticulous observatio n
cannot be used by the scientist to expand his knowledge . A scientifi c
study is a careful exploration of what is popularly called the "fiv e
senses ." Through ingenuity, a scientist may find it possible to measur e
the "invisible," however, even this must be done with tools that ar e
perceived by the five senses .
Taoism, like science, approaches life with this type of curiosit y
and desire for knowledge, but it goes beyond the limits of scientifi c
standardization . Taoism recognizes that there is no single standard, of a
scientific sort, for some of the most important and humanly meaningfu l
things in life . The I Ching describes spheres that are a great deal mor e
intangible than the five senses ; they are most often referred to as the
"mental" or "spiritual".
The I Ching reveals the great wisdom and understanding of th e
ancient Chinese philosophers . They looked at the world around the m
and sought to understand why and how change occurs . They did no t
look beyond reality or ascribe all events to the "hand of God . " Instead,
they found enlightenment through the very practical process of examin-
ing the concepts of space and time.
Introduction 9
By understanding time and the cycle of life, they could explain al l
events . Because they did not assume that everything was caused by God ,
they sought to find the explanation of change in the person, thing, o r
event itself.
Second, the I Ching deals with that which is intangible . Therefore ,
the mental and spiritual preoccupation of the individual using the I
Ching will necessarily influence the meaning to be derived . In studyin g
the I Ching's methods of interpreting life, one must keep this in mind .
For example, suppose two people look at the full moon and appreciat e
the atmosphere and energy it creates . Although one person may feel awe d
by a sense of the beauty and peace and feel a boundless gratitude an d
happiness towards life ; another person may appreciate the power of th e
moon, but be moved to misery and tears . Why? He may be saddene d
by the memory of a friend that died and how they had once enjoye d
full moon evenings together . Everything has this quality . A man ma y
lose all of his possessions and laugh carelessly, only because he has jus t
come from the doctor and learned that he does not have a fatal diseas e
after all . Another man may cry at good luck because the bad luck tha t
preceded has devastated him . Because of this fundamental fact ,
whenever there is an event, one must relate it to the existing situatio n
in a thorough way to truly understand its meaning .
The same principle is true for the divination of Yin and Yang lines .
Consider the following simple divination : a broken line is drawn (yin) ,
meaning presently unfavorable, and a solid line is drawn (yang) meanin g
very active right now, a time to move . One person may draw yang an d
interpret it to mean "it is time to ask the boss for a raise ." Anothe r
person may draw yang and decide that it is finally the right time for hi m
to climb that mountain in China he had alway wanted to try . Anothe r
person may draw yang and uses it for guidance in a major busines s
decision . Thus, the same simple line has given self-guidance to thre e
people in totally different situations . The philosophy of the I Ching is
that this multiplicity and variety is a natural part of life, and that if w e
want to learn to live more effectively, we need only study the I Chin g
and work with it.
The third point, and perhaps most important thing, I can mak e
about the I Ching is that you will understand nothing unless you spen d
time researching the meaning of the I Ching for yourself . In addition ,
you will gain nothing if you do not like to exercise your judgment and

10 The Tao Of I-Ching
imagination ; that is, if you always expect someone else to tell you wha t
is right and how to do things . The person who has some insight an d
is willing to take personal initiative can use the I Ching to make wor k
more effective and enjoy life more fully .
This book is a concrete example of what I mean by an open-minde d
approach to change . I have written it for a person with a western back-
ground . My student Louis and I evolved a simple approach to translatin g
the I Ching from a western perspective . After Sunday Tai Chi class, w e
would meet at a diner and I would describe the work for the week .
Louis would take notes and my handwritten English translations . The
following week he would produce a typewritten text for editing . Hi s
questions and suggestions told me exactly what needed to be explaine d
more fully for a western mind .
Because of his help, I was able to proceed with this book rapidl y
while continuing a great many other activities . Louis is a good exampl e
of a student's progress . As the work progressed, he not only helped m e
find the right words, but took up his own studies . Although he had live d
in a rural and scenic area all of his life, he began to appreciate the natura l
beauty of his surroundings that he had always taken for granted . He
used nature to define the meanings of the energies described in th e
I Ching and to make his understanding direct rather than a matter o f
memorized words . When he took up divination he asked "How can I be
sure I am learning to do this well?" He decided to study developin g
news events and then compare what actually happened with the explici t
"judgments" he divinated . Finally, he worked at seeing some of th e
things in his everyday life in terms of Yin and Yang and the I Ching . I
believe that Louis presently knows a little bit about the I Ching . It is
only the beginning, but it is something real, and it is becoming part o f
his skills as a person .
Would he know as much if he had studied as a scholar for twent y
years, but could only quote hundreds of different fine points o f
interpretation? If he had troubles in everyday life would this knowledg e
be any use to him? If he had good fortune, could he use his knowledg e
to make the most of it for himself and others? The answer is simply ,
never .
On the basis of the foregoing, I warn you against the specialize d
scholarly approach . It is valuable, but too limited for a person to liv e
with . To depend upon another person's interpretations is an example
Introduction 11
of letting someone else decide your life . You alone must live your life .
Consider the following: the four great men of the I Ching are Fu Hsi ,
its originator ; King Wen, who interpreted the hexagrams, the Duke o f
Chou, who wrote on the lines ; and Confucius, who reviewed the whole .
One can spend years studying the lore of these men yet learn nothing . I t
is far better to use only the first, Fu Hsi, as your inspiration . Remembe r
that he had no one to teach him and no one to tell him what to do ,
therefore, he found his answers by taking life itself as his teacher .
When studing these teachers, follow the spirit of their teaching, but
always remember to accommodate the message to your persona l
circumstance . _
An example of following the Spirit of the I Ching can be found in
the interpretation of the seasons . Athough the study of the times an d
the season are deeply related to the I Ching in traditional Chines e
culture, it is too complex and specialized to describe fully here . Instea d
I use the open-minded spirit of "change" and give the basics for th e
student to use . January has definite meanings in the I Ching cycles ,
since it is mid-winter, but if you live in Australia, you had better no t
study January if you want to learn about winter . You must take th e
initiative to turn things completely around and study July instead .
Likewise, when we read the inspiring translations of the I Ching' s
scholars, it is important to consider their original meaning . Conside r
the following translation : "It is time to cross the great river ." Try t o
feel the meaning and spirit of this advice . Cross the Great River? Ge t
on a ferry boat? Get your feet wet? Look at the water and be inspired ?
Remember, when these words were written the world was a primitiv e
and unsettled and often dangerous place . The simple act of fording a
wide river by boat could end in disaster if one was careless or unskilled .
Thus, the real meaning becomes, "the times are good for undertakin g
difficult things."
Again, consider the terse comment : " There are no fish in the bag " .
Ask yourself what would Confucius say if he lived today . He'd probabl y
pen something like this : " There is no money in the checking account! "
Do this with everything you meet, and you will be a true student o f
the I Ching by learning to understand yourself and others . The materia l
I have put together for you covers a wide field of study . Sometimes I
have found it preferable not to explain everything fully, in order to sho w
basic principles and give enough guidance for you to do your own work .


12 The Tao Of I-Ching Introduction 13

Following is some of the information you will find in this book : Chuan?" The question is like asking whether warm is better than cool.
You may find that studying meditation or Tai Chi Chuan gives you a
* A description of how the Tai Chi diagram creates the meaning o f simpler and more direct understanding of the I Ching . Alternatively ,
Yin and Yang, and the basic principles of their alternation . Th e you may find that your study of the I Ching is directly helping you r
material will show how a student can'evolve the meanings of th e progress in meditation and Tai Chi Chuan .
trigrams directly from this central concept . Further material show s Since the I Ching was first translated into German and othe r
how the hexagrams develop directly Ying to Yang . languages, it has awakened great interest and fascinated countless people .
* The method of divination using yarrow stalks or coins is presente d Yet, I believe this interest is only a fraction of the attention it deserve s
along with other more dynamic methods by which you can divinat e when it is used in the way it was created to be used . I wish everyon e
directly from life and events around you . the best of fortunes in their studies . Remember, this is not a boo k
* The use of a three part divination is explained, and how the principle s on Chinese culture or philosophy . This is a book about things no mor e
of the five elements can be used for interpretation . There are som e exclusively Chinese than a lake, a person or the sky .
specific examples here to help you start . There are a number of people who have been helpful in the writin g
* A traditional picture for each hexagram that summarizes its qualitie s of this book . Without their advice, assistance and encouragement .
visually instead of with words is given . This will help you lear n Writing this book would have been much more difficult .
to use non-verbal creative concepts in understanding advance d I would especially like to thank of the following : Louis Kovi, Mind y
concepts . The pictures are old-fashioned . What can you do abou t Sheps, Marsha Rosa, Paul, Albe, Susanna Thompson, Victor Franco . And,
this, can you tell me ? I extend a very special gratitude to Dr . Shoshana Adler for her help i n
* The material with the hexagrams shows how translation of th e proofreading the first half of the text at the workshop in Eureka Springs ,
traditional meanings can be taken the next step into relevant persona l Arkansas .
translations . Included here are also many details on the lore o f
divination as applied to the specific hexagrams and their line, or Yao .
Jou, Tsung Hw a
There is much more . And there is no reason why you should no t December, 10th, 198 3
get a loose-leaf notebook, number it, and begin jotting down your ow n
notes on each hexagram immediately . Get to work !
In a more serious tone, we must each evolve our own feeling fo r
what these activities mean . When we divinate we are going furthe r
than our five senses, and we are appealing to the spiritual world tha t
surrounds and pervades everything for our guidance . This will differ
for each of us . I belive the principle for each of us is that the I Chin g
arid its divinations is a blueprint from the "fourth dimension" to guid e
us in leading our lives in this third dimensional world . The concep t
of our evolving relationship with the fourth dimensional world is mor e
fully described in my book, "The Tao of Meditation ." Meditation i s
still another way of approaching this fourth dimensional world an d
developing our place in it .
Some may ask, " Which is best, Meditation, the I Ching or Tai Chi


1 4 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter One Raising The Veil Of Mystery 15

CCC
Chapter One : CC

RAISING THE VEIL OF MYSTERY

1-1 Returning to the Root s

The I Ching (Pl _` ), or Book of Changes, is the most ancient boo k

in China and perhaps in the world . It represents both the source o f
Chinese culture, and a key to the understanding of Chinese history ,
even in its most turbulent stages .
This is notable during the reign of' Chin Shih-Huang( aG se e
figure 1-la), the first emperor of the Chin Dynasty( 4 221-207 B .C .) ,
who succeeded in unifying six other kingdoms of the country . Chi n
adopted a series of strict measures to unify the country . The mos t
lasting of these was the adoption of a single language . He also evolve d
a tyrannical system of suppression that he thought would establis h
his dynasty forever . His strategy was the destruction of all learnin g
in order to keep people in an ignorant and submissive state . Thu s
in 215 B .C . he ordered all the scholars buried alive to humiliate them ,
and searched out and destroyed all of' the country ' s works of literatur e
and philosophy, including the most revered classics .
However, Chin saved one book, the I Ching . He and his official s
needed it for political guidance and divination .
Thus the I Ching has been transmitted to us from the past withou t

16 The Tao Of I-Ching
Figure 1-l a
any serious interruption . There was a gradual evolution and thre e
different I Chings have been developed . In the Hsia Dynasty (
2205-1766 B .C.), the Tui trigram ( 10, which was the image o f
lake, was doubled and became the first hexagram in the series of 64 .
This arrangement was called Lien Shan (A iii ) . In the Shang Dynast y
( 0 1766-1150 B .C.), the trigram Kun ( h fF ), which symbolize s
the receptive earth, was doubled and became the first hexagram . Thi s
arrangement was called Kuei Tsang ( f ) . Finally, in the Cho u
Dynasty ( 1150-249 B .C .), Chien (~F ) the symbol of creativit y
and heaven, was doubled to make the first hexagram . This arrangemen t
was called Chou I (l MA ) . Since written language was not well -
developed during the Hsia and the Shang Dynasties (in fact, record s
were kept on tortoise shells) knowledge of the Lien Shan and Kue i
Tsang was largely extinct by the time of the Chin Dynasty . What
remains today is the Chou I, which we call the I Ching, or simply I .
The Chinese character for the word I is created by combining th e
symbols for the sun ( 0 ) and the moon ( ), and this combinatio n
presents the most fundamental perception of Chinese philosoph y
towards experience and life . Later we will see these formalized into
Chapter One Raising The Veil Of Mystery 17
the symbols of Yin and Yang, but before the symbols there is th e
observable actuality .
First, the sun and moon are alternating qualities that follow eac h
other in a circular path . The sun rises and comes to its zenith, an d
begins to decline . It disappears below the horizon, and the moo n
appears . The moon is followed by the sun, and then follows the su n
again. First one dominates, then the other .
There is also the opposition of the sun and moon in their qualities .
The sun is huge, yet distant beyond imagination . Its tremendous energ y
brings the warmth and light that is responsible for all life on earth .
The moon is smaller even than the earth, yet it is closer to the eart h
than the sun, so it raises powerful tides in the oceans and also — a s
scientists are beginning to study — in the tissues of all living things .
The moon is dark and has no light, yet it shines brightly and diml y
and brightly again with the light of the sun . The moon changes th e
quality of the sun through polarization . Together, the opposing qualitie s
of the sun and moon create a complex and always changing series o f
influences on the life of our planet .
As we observe the interaction of their opposition, we come t o
another perception — that their contrasts and the contrasts of simila r
energies here on earth are what make our life . Thus we can say tha t
they not only oppose each other, but also complement each other .
To understand this, we need only consider a photo . It is shade s
of light and darkress . Take away all the darkness, and what do w e
have? Take away all the light, and what do we have ?
The study of the I Ching considers all the things we experience ,
do, say, feel, and deal with, and finds this same contrast of qualities .
Without it, there is nothing . With it, anything in our world may b e
seen and described . Our world and life are based on the activity an d
changes of complements .
But this only happens because within the changes there is alway s
constancy . To imagine this, think of a light burning brightly forever ,
with no shadow . This is one kind of constancy . It is easy to imagine .
Now imagine a light fluctuating with darkness forever in a way tha t
has no pattern and no order . We might perceive this, yet the perceptio n
would have no meaning . Just as we might act, yet never know th e
meaning of our acts if there were no stable conditions to reflect tha t
meaning to us .

18 The Tao Of I-Ching
Finally, consider a light that grows bright and then dims to darknes s
and then brightens again in an endless cycle .
Now the repetition of the contrasting parts of light and darknes s
has become a constant cycle . Because it moves and shows detail o f
shadow and light, we have perceptions . Because it goes through th e
same cycle again and again, the perceptions follow patterns that w e
come to learn, until finally the whole richness and complexity of ou r
world and our lives appears .
Thus the constancy of cycles that repeat themselves faithfull y
makes possible all that we experience and do . These cycles always
bring us change and the freedom to change, and at the same time creat e
the unchanging foundation of our life and world .
Out of this, we analyze the word I to have three distinct qualities :
Chien I ( ) or easy and simple, reflects on how easy and simpl e
our world is in its make-up ; Pien I ( ) refers to its aspect o f
continuous change ; and Pu I (TT ) refers to its constancy .
Thus the book I starts with this precise observation of universa l
phenomena and of our daily life . These primary data of life are simpl e
and easy to understand . As it is said in Ta Chuan ( ):
Chien ( ) knows through the eas y
Kun ( ) does things simply
What is easy is easy to kno w
What is simple is simple to follo w
He who is easy to know makes friend s
He who is simple to follow attains good work s
He who possesses friends can endure foreve r
He who performs good works can become great .
— 1-2 Ancient Chinese Wisdom ~El
A specific description of how the I Ching was created is given in th e
Ta Chuan ( ) or Great Treatise :
"In the I Ching there is the Tai Chi or Grand Terminus ( 4i ) ,
which generates the two forms or Liung Yi ( ) . Those two form s only gentle breezes, no tornado, or Wu Chi . Then there is an acceleratio n
generate the four symbols of Ssu Hsiang ( Y9' ), and those four creat e
the eight trigrams or Pa Kua (A ) ."
This passage obviously tells us that if we intend to study the book
Chapter One Raising The Veil Of Mystery 19
of the I Ching, we have to follow a logical progression, firs t
understanding the meaning of Tai Chi and then how this meaning pro-
gresses to Liung Yi, Ssu Hsiang, and Pa Kua.
If we simply read the judgments and images of the hexagrams, w e
are like a person who tries to learn about the nature of a large forest
without studying its surroundings . This person sees a profusion o f
meanings, first one thing, then another, but he never looks beyond th e
forest . He comes away with vague impressions . He never knows tha t
through the thick cover of leaves overhead there is the sky, or that i n
one direction the edge of the forest is a short distance away, while in
another direction are dense thickets .
So we must first know the Tai Chi . But here the I Ching is reticent ,
for it does not state where the Tai Chi comes from . Its origin, however ,
is discussed in ancient Chinese philosophy, and given the name Wu Ch i
( ) or Hsien Tien ( ) . Wu Chi means "what there is befor e
the universe comes into being . " Can we imagine this? We can begin b y
considering smaller examples of Wu Chi in everyday life . For in Chines e
philosophy, we say that every part of life operates the same as the Ta o
or universe as a whole . The microcosm faithfully follows th e
macrocosm .
First we need to know what the concept of change is, as defined b y
Wu Chi. If there is no change, then nothing came out of Wu Chi . I f
there is change or even the possibility of change, we say then that th e
situation of Tai Chi is beginning . That is why the I Ching is also referre d
to by another name : "The Book of Changes . "
We can see the change from Wu Chi to Tai Chi in an apple . Imagin e
that the apple is in a state of Wu Chi . It simply is there . But the n
bacteria develop in the apple and it starts to spoil . At first there is onl y
a tiny part spoiling, too small to be seen . Then it becomes visible, th e
size of a pinhead . By stages it grows larger and progresses until finall y
the whole apple is gone .
As long as it was an apple, it was Wu Chi . But the moment th e
bacteria began spoiling it, the stage of Tai Chi began .
The same is seen in the formation of a tornado . At first there ar e
of the breezes, and they begin to travel in circular motions instead o f
just randomly flowing . This is now the Tai Chi of the tornado . Th e
breezes grow stronger and a definite circular wind is created that picks

v-
20 The Tao Of I-Chin g
up loose leaves and twigs from the ground and throws them high in th e
air in circular patterns . Finally all the wind energy from the surroundin g
area becomes funnelled into this circular motion, and tremendou s
forces begin to build up . Now people cry "tornado" and hide in th e
cellar. The tornado moves slowly along with the sound of a doze n
express trains and tears loose everything it touches . Houses, trees, an d
rocks are drawn up into its vortex and cast away . At some point ,
however, the tornado starts to lose its force and slow down . Soon it ha s
only moderate force . Finally, it cannot be detected at all . It is gone ,
and Tai Chi has returned to Wu Chi .
All we observe in life, including ourselves, follows this pattern .
Before we exist in this world, we are Wu Chi . When we are born, w e
begin the stage of Tai Chi . At first we are small and weak . Slowly w e
grow strong and live our mature years . Finally we die, and the matte r
that formed our bodies is dispersed like the breezes that formed th e
tornado . We have returned to Wu Chi .
When Wu Chi changes to Tai Chi and a thing exists and can b e
observed, a duality begins . At any time that a thing exists, part of i t
is changing and part remains unchanged . Like the apple, part of it is
still good and can be eaten and part is spoiled . Or the tornado, part o f
the atmosphere is drawn into it and part is unaffected .
We call the unchanging part Yin and the changing part Yang .
Chinese philosophers use a circle (0) to represent Yang and a soli d
black circle (• ) to represent Yin . Another notation is a broken lin e
- - for Yin and a solid line — for Yang . It does not matter whic h
symbol stands for Yin and which for Yang, and we can also reverse th e
process . The important thing is to understand the major characteristi c
of the duality: where there is Yin, there is also Yang, and vice-versa .
For example, there are men and women . We can say a man' s
character is vigorous and intense like fire ; and that a woman's is tende r
and gentle like water . Since we link man and fire together, we say the y
are both Yang qualities, and likewise that women and water are Yin .
This points out another quality of Yin and Yang : we can apply
them to any object or process we observe in our world . They are not t o
describe some particular object, but are for all dualities, and refer to al l
of them . Thus Lao Tzu said : "A single Yin cannot be born, and a singl e
Yang cannot be grown . " (fJJ1{ , lJ. g
f' TA).
We can see how there must always be Yin where there is Yang
Chapter One Raising The Veil Of Mystery 21
by considering electricity . Light and power come from energy flowin g
across positive and negative poles . If there is only one pole, we fin d
nothing .
We can see another principle by observing how the positive an d
negative charges are named . If we have only one particle of charge ,
it cannot be given a name . We can only name it by comparing it t o
another particle to see if they attract or repel . If they repel, they ar e
identical charges, but if they attract, one is positive and one is negative .
Which is which? It does not matter . We simply give our test particle a
name and the other particle the opposite name . This corresponds wit h
the I Ching commentary : "One Yin and one Yang make the Tao ."
( - f -{' ).
What we have discussed so far can be illustrated in the following wa y
as shown in figure 12a .
Yang
.
Tai Chi
Wu Chi The Beginning
Stage o f
Tai Chi
Yi n
Figure 1-2 a
In this diagram we see Wu Chi giving birth to a Tai Chi state . If
there is no movement in the beginning stage of Tai Chi, then its Yin an d
Yang are combined, as in a storage battery for electricity . But if there i s
movement, then Yin and Yang separate and become distinct, just a s
the battery uses opposite ends of the pole to produce heat, energy, an d
light.
In this separation of the Tai Chi, the two symbols of Liung Yi ar e
created . These basic first steps later evolve into the I Ching trigrams an d
hexagrams . This philosophy of Yin and Yang within the I Ching ha s
three basic aspects :
1 . Hsiang (it) or symbol . This is based on the symbols • an d
0 , the Tai Chi diagram ® , and the symbols - - and , arranged i n
various combinations : four symbols, eight trigrams, or sixty-fou r
hexagrams.

22 The Tao Of I-Chin g
r Chapter One Raising The Veil Of Mystery
2. Li ( ) or philosophy . This deals in accurate forecasting, an d
includes the writings, judgments and images of the I Ching — what we
have from the four sages Fu Hsi, King Wen, Duke of Chou, an d
Confucius .
3. Shu ( ) or number . Here numbers are used to deduce the
likelihood of future events by reviewing what has happened in th e
past . In modern computers a binary system is used that creates number s
by using two opposed elements, just as we have Yin and Yang in th e
I Ching . And just as we say that Yin and Yang can picture our whol e
world, we find that a computer can produce an abstract formulation o f
any words, logic, pictures, or calculations using only these two symbols .
These three aspects are specialized parts of the whole I Ching . T o
understand the I Ching, we need to learn about each of them . In Chinese
history, there have been various schools of study, each emphasizing on e
of the these three aspects . For example :
1. The philosophical theories of the scholars of the Han Dynast y
(206 B .C. — 219 A .D.) or the Ni Li School ( ) . Studying ,
emphasizing, following, and explaining the texts of the four sages F u
Hsi, King Wen, Duke of Chou, and Confucius .
2. Philosophical theories of the scholars of the Sung Dynasty ,
(960-1279) or Hsiang Shu School ( l i ) . Researching and studyin g
the trigrams and hexagrams and how they relate to mathematica l
symbols and philosophy .
3. The Taoist School ( ) . Using the philosophy and principle s
of I Ching to develop Tai Chi Chuan and meditation techniques, etc .
For Tai Chi, the inner trigram represents one's state of mind and th e
outer one the condition of one's body . These two sets of trigrams hav e
been translated into a series of continuous movements, incorporating th e
constant changing between Yin and Yang . For meditation, th e
hexagrams indicate how the chi flows in the body during meditation .
A famous book Gen Tung Chi (Zr1') discusses this process in detail .
Ironically, my interest in the I Ching came after my interest an d
experience in Tai Chi and meditation . By studying the I Ching I gaine d
greater understanding of Tai Chi and meditation because I could se e
more clearly how they were created and developed .
4. Chan Pu School ( r$ Fa) or divination . Using the inductiv e
and deductive methods to predict the future . (This method will b e
emphasized in this book .)
23
These various schools of study are not contradictory . They are
simply different ways of approaching and understanding the I Ching a s
a building and each school as a window, each giving a different view .
Whatever window you look through influences what you will see, bu t
you are still in the I Ching "building" .
El Ell
1-3 The Four Symbols ED 1E1
The I Ching uses the arrangement of lines in a sequence . The places
that the lines fill in the sequence are called Yao (_x ) . A Yao may b e
filled with either a solid or broken line . The line indicates Yin or Yang .
All dualities, all contrasts of any sort, can be characterized as Yin fo r
one of the pair, and Yang for the other .
If we call darkness Yin, then light is Yang . If we call cold Yin, the n
hot is Yang . And so on .
By using several Yao we may summarize a very complicate d
situation, filling in the spaces with either Yin or Yang lines . For exampl e
we can take each Yao to represent a period of time . We have a cup o f
very hot coffee which eventually becomes cold . We express this wit h
two Yaos . The starting Yao is the bottom line and indicates hot . Th e
top Yao indicates cold . The Yaos are always read from bottom to top .
Reading the Yaos can be compared to reading a sign on the highway .
The name of the coming exit, for example "South " , would appear unde r
the name of the following exit, for example "North" . The driver of a
vehicle would read the sign from bottom to top to find out which exi t
comes first, which comes second, and so on . See figure 1-3a below :
North I
South 1
Figure 1-3 a
The set of two lines used to describe " the cup of coffee in time "
is one of the four symbols . We can use the Tai Chi diagram to derive
these four symbols in an orderly way, or tree system, as seen i n


24 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter One Raising The Veil Of Mystery 25

figure I-3b . Next to this diagram, we see another way of generatin g If we assign north as Yin and south as Yang, we can easily work ou t
the four symbols by reading the quarters of two concentric circles , how the directions of the compass can be indicated with the fou r
beginning from the inside, to generate the four symbols as shown i n symbols . In fact the use of the lines has a wide applicability in geometry
figure 1-3c . and mathematics . If we consider Yang as going along a line from th e
original point 0 to the right, and Yin from 0 to the left, we can see fro m
Greater Lesser Lesser Greate r
Yin (SCI ) Yang()) Yin() ) Yang (fir$ ) this basic definition how easily the two dimensional graph of plan e
geometry is set up as shown in figure 1-3f and 1-3g .

Figure 1-3b
Figure 1-3 c i
Yin Yang (—,—) 0
We need to learn how the four symbols can logically follow on e 0

another in events, and we can observe an example of this by lookin g

at our moon . The moon is a whole like the Tai Chi sphere, and whe n Liung Yi or Two form s
we add time to our observation of it, it begins to separate into Yin an d
Yang . Thus we have the New Moon and the Full Moon, and this is lik e
• and 0, orYin (- -) andYang ( — ) . We also name the halfway point s Figure 1-3f Ssu Hsiang of Four Symbol s
between New and Full the First Quarter and Last Quarter . Below we can
Figure 1-3 g
see how this naming is exactly the same as a circular sequence of th e
four symbols as shown in figure 1-3d .

O toE,
First Las t In this system, the bottom line of the symbol is the horizontal axi s
New Quarter Full Quarter
and the top line represents the vertical axis . If we wish to add a thir d
Yao, we can go on to a three dimensional graph for solid geometry . In
mathematics, we can assign Yang as zero and Yin as one and thus deriv e
Yin Yin to Yang Yang Yang to Yin a binary system .
The four symbols can describe not only the moon's phases, but als o
Greater Lesser Greater Lesse r a man's destiny, or that of a society . The Greater Yin is like a person
Yin Yang Yang Yin who is not established in anything . In societies we might compare this
Figure 1-3 d with the emerging nations of Africa . Here a person or nation must tak e
Still another use of the four symbols is to describe our seasons a s what little they know and plan and work with it . The next stage is Lesser
shown in figure 1-3e . Yang . This is like a young man just rising in the world, or a nation lik e
Winter Spring Summer Fall China that is just establishing itself . Here there are great challenge s
very from cold very
and activities and constant changes to be met . Then we have the Greate r
from ho t
cold to warm hot to col d Yang. This is like a successful businessman or a nation like Americ a
Fi g ure 1 -3e that is strongly established and powerful . Here the need is to alway s

26 The Tao Of I-Ching
use great care to maintain things, for otherwise decline will come rapidly .
Finally in Lesser Yin we find a person or nation that has passed it s
peak of development and has begun to decline . Since this is like th e
fall of the year, its major quality is that it must harvest its riches fro m
the past with good judgment in order to endure the coming winter .
In this kind of investigation we can see clearly what part of the cycl e
a person or society occupies . We can look at ourselves this way an d
decide how to be . A person who has high standards and wants goo d
things from life, for example, never says, "Oh, everything is fine now ,
I don' t have to worry or pay attention " , even when he achieves success.
If he s tys and believes such things, he immediately leads himself into a
decline . Instead, he will say, "I want to do better ." Thus he is alway s
learning something new, always taking himself back to the stage o f
Greater Yin to start anew and recreate himself .
We can see this simple cycle in still another way : the cycle of ou r
day . When a man is asleep, he is Greater Yin . Then he awakes and get s
going with the morning preparations . This is Lesser Yang . Finally, h e
gets to work and is using his full powers . This is Greater Yang . Then h e
goes home and relaxes, resting from serious things, and doing les s
demanding things . Here he is at Lesser Yin . Finally, he goes to be d
and the cycle begins again .
The Yin-Yang balance is crucial to understanding . In some situations ,
Yin may be more desirable . In others, Yang may be more desirable .
We must seek one and avoid the other . But even this we must do b y
following the observation in the I Ching that Yin always begets Yang an d
Yang always begets Yin. We must study this movement and reciprocit y
and follow it wisely .
We can see from these simple examples how people seriously usin g
the I Ching can greatly enhance their understanding of themselves o r
the world . A person who has not considered this need of persona l
initiative might say, "This is too simple! A child can understand it ."
But a child lacks the breadth of knowledge and maturity of an adult .
And adults vary in the amount of maturity and ability they hav e
developed . These traits are derived directly from the initiative they
have taken to develop themselves . Those who have interest and initiativ e
in their lives can use the I Ching to great benefit .
One of the most important philosophical uses of the I Ching is i n
developing our emotions . The poet Shelley speaks with foreboding
Chapter One Raising The Veil Of Mystery 27
of the wild west wind and the cruel winter changes it is bringing . Then ,
after developing this image through his whole poem, he concludes:
"Oh Wind, if winter comes, can Spring be far behind? "
Thus, if some event or emotion happens to bring with it great distres s
and unhappiness for us, we need not be like the unknowing child who
thinks "Oh, everything is all over for me!" We can look to the changin g
cycle that must occur in every event, and see that even bad feeling s
cannot last forever . New opportunities will be coming for us, which w e
may develop successfully .
All of these philosophical and other observations can be seen in th e
simple foundation of the Tai Chi model . That model comes fro m
Wu Chi and splits into Yin and Yang, and then the four symbols . Bu t
to learn about the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching we mus t
understand the final derivation of the eight trigrams .
The Eight Trigrams : Heaven , 11.
Earth and Humanity
I Ching history tells us that the evolution of the trigrams comes from
the first Emperor, Fu Hsi ( 2953-2838 B .C. see figure 1-4a) It i s
said that Fu Hsi set out to study all of heaven and earth . He turned hi s
eyes to the heavens and studied astronomy as well as the movements o f
the sun, the stars, the moon, and the planets . He turned back to eart h
and observed the flat, the rolling, and the mountainous land . How som e
soil was good for tilling and other soil was not . He studied the weather,
the tides, the storms, and the regular changes of the seasons . Natura l
Figure l-4 a


28 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter One Raising The Veil Of Mystery 29

history claimed his interest, and he watched the birds and the animals , Pinyin
and deciphered their languages .
Finally he turned to observe and study within himself. Out of thi s Chien or Qian
he created the eight trigrams as a method to commune with the spiritua l
and invisible world, and a way to be part of everything within the visibl e Tui Dui
world . He also used it to represent the relationships of everything i n
our three dimensional world and to build images of anything in ou r Li
world.
We can see here how important human experience and exploratio n -' = Chen Zhen
are in the foundation of the I Ching . The trigrams were develope d
by a man of relentless curiosity who wished to understand all things . — Sun Sun
We can begin to study the eight trigrams by observing how simply
they are derived from the Tai Chi . Two different methods are used t o Kan Ka n
describe this process in figures below. One uses a rectangular bloc k
Ken Yi n
formation, see in figure 1-4b the other uses a tree diagram as show n
in figure 1-4c.
Kun Kŭn

The circular form below is another method of visualizing the genera-

ABA ;? ;", .
Lesser Yang .
K .'
~,' 'Lesser Yin r~+' Great Yang
tion of the eight trigrams . It is created by taking the rectangular block s
HIMMIEn
and forming them into a circle as shown in figure 1-4d .
Yang
Tai Chi

Figure 1-4 b

Eight Trigrams _

Four Symbols

Two Forms

Figure 1-4 d
Tai Chi If we want to easily recall the eight trigrams, we can use an ancien t
menmonic using four pairs . One member of the pair is generated by
changing the lines of the other :
Figure 1-4c


30 The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter One Raising The Veil Of Mystery 31

Symbo l Chinese Name Sharp Order If we are familiar with the binary system of enumeration, we ma y
recall the eight trigrams simply by reading off the numbers 0 through 7
Chie n Three Continuous 1 using the 0 to represent a Yang line and the 1 to represent a Yin line ,
or vice-versa . For example :
Kun _ Three Broken 8
—
Tui is the same as 001 or 1
Chen Upwards Cup 4
Kan is the same as 101 or 5
Ken - - Overturned Bowl 7
All eight are written as follows:
Li Empty Middle 3
Trigram Symbol Binary System Decimal System Orde r
Kan _ i Full Middle 6
Chien 000 0 1
-
Tui - Deficient Top 2
Tui 001 1 2
Sun Broken Bottom 5
Li -- 010 2 3
In another method, we can look at the four fingers of our hand ,
and imagine a set of trigrams, one on the upper and one on the lowe r Chen 011 3 4
joint . Note that each set is symmetrical with of Yin and Yang reversed ,
and that the order of one to eight follows that derived with th e Sun — 100 4 5
rectangular bars as shown in figure 1-4e .
Kan 101 5 6

Ken 110 6 7

Kun 111 7 8

(Note : Normally, binary and decimal numbers are read from right to left . However ,
I recommend reversing the order of reading to avoid confusion . Always read fro m
left to right to derive the eight trigrams . For example, "001" is read Yang, Yang ,
Yin, or —, —, - - . )

Finally, if we take our Tai-Chi symbol and rotate its center a littl e
to more visibly symbolize the intermingling of Yin and Yang, we ca n
read the eight trigrams in it by taking eight sections as shown in figur e
Figure 1-4e 1-4f.


32 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter One Raising The Veil Of Mystery 33

Wang (lk 5cl. ) who founded the Chou Dynasty circa 1143 B . C., as
Yang shown in figure 1-4h .
Yang
Li
-d--- Yin
Sun Sun Kun

/ t S

I II I ~y II I Tu i
II E

Figure 1-4 f Ken - - Chie n

By reading the eight sections from the Tai Chi symbol, we arrive a t Kan

an arrangement like this as shown in figure 1-4g .

Figure 1-4h

Figure 1-4 g
This arrangement is called the Hsien Tien (
it is believed to have been . developed by Fu Hsi .
In addition to this Hsien Tien circular arrangement there is anothe r
called the Hu Tien (W ) that is traditionally credited to Chou Wen
The eight trigrams of Hu Tien are based on the I Ching passage tha t
reads :
"The ruler comes forth in Chen with his creation . He completes th e
work in Sun . He causes things to see one another in Li and to serve on e
another in Kun . He rejoices in Tui and battles in Chien . He is comforte d
and rests in Kan, and then finishes the work of the year in Ken . "
We can see how this cycle 'begins in the east and the spring of th e
year and proceeds in a clockwise cycle . This sequence of trigrams wa s
used to explain the principle of the movement and cycles of the universe ,
and the Chinese calendar was created from it . Later on we will explain
in detail how the Hsien Tien and the Hu Tien are interrelated for use i n
divination .
Once we have arrived at eight trigrams, we then have three lines fo r
each . With Yin and Yang we have two, and the addition of a third lin e
symbolizes creation, particularly the creation of humanity by heave n
and earth . Just as man and woman create a child through their relation -
ship; heaven and earth, Yin and Yang are seen as not only existing apart ,
but as interacting and producing a new, third quality . This is calle d
) arrangement, and Three Powers or San Tsai ( E 1' ),
as shown in figure 1-4i .


34 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter One Raising The Veil Of Mystery 35

In the derivation of the three daughters, we imagine Kun inter -

mingling with Chien and giving one of its lines as shown in figur e

0
1-4k .
Upper Ya o Heave n

r - -

C
r ME Kun (mother )
Middle Ya o Humanit y Three Power s

•
Chien
Lower Yao Earth Tu i Li Sun (father)
L _ .- l 1 1
I=
t 1 L- 1
Figure 1-4i t t
Younges t Middle
Daughter Daughter

We see in the diagram of the trigram that the first and bottom lin e
is the Yao of earth, the middle line is the Yao of humanity, and the to p
line the Yao of heaven . When we look at a hexagram, we take the firs t
two bottom lines as the Yaos of earth, the next two as the Yaos o f
humanity, and the top two as those of heaven .
The addition of the third quality locates humanity within th e
universe in a meaningful way . Because humanity's relation to the Ta o
is of the most vital interest, one of the important uses of the eigh t
trigrams is to describe social relations . The simplest society is that o f
the family of father, mother, and child . The father is identified wit h
Chien ( ), the mother with Kun ( ), and the remaining six trigram s
are the three sons and three daughters .
To derive the three sons, we imagine the Chien intermingling wit h
the Kun, and giving it one of its solid lines as shown in figure 1-4j .
r t Chien
i (father )
h
I
~—
Ku n
Figure 1-4 k
To eventually understand the hexagrams, we must first assign
meanings to each of the eight trigrams . The evolution of these meaning s
can be understood if we consider the Hu Tien arrangement that wa s
used to evolve the Chinese calendar . Each season of the year has a
trigram . If we look about during each season at the different thing s
happening and the influence on our lives and moods, then we can giv e
a meaning to each one .
Thus, if Chien stands for the late fall and early winter, we ca n
imagine a tree that has grown all summer and has now dropped it s
leaves and withdrawn its sap into its roots . If we look at this and othe r
late fall phenomenon we can evolve an image of strength and resourceful-
ness . We can call this Chien .
If we go back a step to early fall, we may think of the farm famil y
working to bring in the rich harvest of crops during the warm India n
summer. From this we can sense a mood of energetic joyfulness, an d
call it Tui.
If we go a step forward from Chien, we can imagine the dead o f

—
i Ken i Ka n Chen (mother)
-+d -- I winter, a time of hidden dangers for the unwary person — like th e
- -
C• — motorist whose car runs out of gas in a storm and who almost freeze s
N I -- I I, - to death. We can call this phase Kan .
Youngest . Middle Oldes t In the following table, some of the traditional attributes of th e
so n son so n
eight trigrams that have been developed are given, along with the inne r
Figure 1-4j relations — parts of the body, season, time and so on . The differen t


36 The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter One Raising The Veil Of Mystery 37

tables are not arbitrary inventions, but have evolved over the centurie s Trigram
in a trial-and-error way through observation, and we should expec t Chien Tui Li Che n
to find modern parallels . For example, Kun tends to represent activit y
of a responsive sort, such as "work ." Its time is from 1 to 5 p .m . Huma n Head Mouth Eyes Fee t
Bod y
Modern scientists of body rhythms, paying no attention to the I Ching ,
have independently discovered that the time of day when a person is Huma n Youngest Middle
Father eldest so n
"most able to cope" is this same period . Affair s daughter daughte r
The student should memorize the tables and also work out indi-
early October mid-September early June early Marc h
vidually each part of the table to develop themselves, A wild pig, fo r Seaso n
mid-December mid-October early July early April
example, would tend to attack a traveller by rushing from concealmen t
in a fast dangerous charge . Thus it is represented by Kan . Dogs fo r Tim e 7 p .m. to 5 p .m. to 11 a.m . to 5 a .m . to
thousands of years have been guards and protectors of the home, henc e 10 p .m . 7 p .m . 1 p .m . 7 a .m .
it is easy to see how they are related to Ken . Some of the attributes —
South or Southeast Eastor Northeas t
such as liver and Chen — relate to specialized branches of knowledg e Directio n
Northwest or west South or East
that are not clear unless we have studied them . However, most can b e
figured out with common sense and will train us to develop our Trigra m
perceptions . The more we study the basic symbols and how they work , Sun Kan Ken Kun
and then relate other things to them, the more we will begin to learn .
Huma n Thigh Ears Hands Abdoma n
In studying, we must keep an open mind and not look for a singl e
Body
solution that never changes . A hotel, for instance, means Ken, because
it is where people stop for the night and are inactive . But if it has a Human eldest middle younges t
affairs daughter son son mother
nightclub in it, then we are looking at the Tui aspect of it .

Seaso n early april early december early february early jul y

Trigram
early june early january early march early septembe r
Chien Tui Li Chen
Tim e 7 a.m . to 10 p .m. to 1 a .m. to 1 p.m . to
Symbol Heaven Lake Fire Thunder 11 a.m. 1 a .m. 5 a .m . 5 p .m.
Virtue Tough Joy Magnificence Stimulus t o
Direction southwest or west or northwest north o r
a Strong Movemen t southeast south or northeast northwes t
Animal Horse Sheep Pheasant Drago n
Miscellaneous :
Trigram
A circle, ruler, jade, metal, cold, ice, deep red ,
Sun Kan Ken Ku n Chien serious, bone, large city, resort, car, sky-scraper ,
Symbol Wind Water Mountain Earth cogwheel, clock, machine, huge .
Virtue Penetr'iion To Entrap Stop Obedien t A bar-girl, female singer, bank employee, restaurant ,
Animal Chicken Pig Dog Ox Tui bird, bill, sword, coffee, kitchen, mouth and tongue ,
concubine .


38 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter One Raising The Veil Of Mystery 39

A teacher, artist, library, beauty salon, church, TV , work and added both general comments on the philosophy and specifi c
gun, camera, operation, sun, lightning, armor an d comments on the hexagrams . His work is called the Chuan (4 ) or
- - Li helmet, spear and sword, tutle and crab . Referrin g Appendices, of Ten Wings ( -{- ) .
to personal qualities, it suggests a large belly . Here is a sample of the first hexagram of the I Ching .

Blue and sand stone ( ), great highway, youn g 1 . Chien ( ) (symbol )

- fellow, announcer, operator, the liver, broadcast ,
- - Chen Hexagram created and name d
telephone . by Fu Hsi .

White, long, lofty, advancing and receding, deficienc y 2. Kua Tsi( )

Sun of hair, wide forehead, postman, salesman, airport ,
harbor, air conditioner, electric fan, travel .
These four Chinese characters are King Wen's explanation o f
Channels, ditches, bow, wheel, increase of anxiety , the meaning of the hexagram Chien .
Ka n distress of mind, pain in the ears, red, moon, thief ,
boatman, waterfall, restroom, bar, gas, tryst, sleep ,
pen. 3. YaoTsi( )
The following are the Duke of Chou's explanations of th e
A by-path, small rock, gateway, fruits, porter , meaning of each Yao .
- - Ken rat, family, hotel, warehouse, secona floor, bridge ,
beef . 'VA : ffilIRM41 °

Cloth, caldron, frugality, large wagon, multitude , ,

fit= : Flk ' °
- Kun handle or support, black soil, old woman, farmer ,
village, antiques .
.eta : IIE* ' fUnicA °
1-5 The Structure of the I Ching _L A :

The structure of the I Ching evolved over several thousand years ,

with four individuals making the major contributions . The first was
Fu Hsi ( 2953-2838 B .C.) who created and named the hexagrams .
King Wen (3C~ ), founder of the Chou Dynasty (1150-249 B .C.),
then gave an explanation of each of the 64 hexagrams . A brief tex t
accompanies each hexagram and contains a decision or judgment .
The text is called Kua Tsi ( Ihg ). King Wen's son, Duke Chou ( ) ,
then added a text in which the meaning of each of the six lines i s
individually examined . This is called the Yao Tsi (j4_ 64) . Finally ,
Confucius ( 550-478 B .C .) made a lifelong study of the existing
The entire text of the I Ching contains explanations of each of th e
64 hexagrams .
When we study the I Ching, our teacher is life and nature, not th e
writings of other persons . Ii we really understand the I Ching, w e
do not need to refer to or quote the writings of others . An exampl e
of this is Confucius' greatest follower, Mencius, who in his writte n
work never discussed the I Ching and yet all of his work is develope d
from the principles of the I Ching . This is the kind of person wh o

r

40 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter One Raising The Veil Of Mystery 41

truly knows the I Ching . Such a person is like the poet Shelley, quoted we multiply this by another (Yin plus Yang), we will get a more comple x
earlier. Shelley never heard about or learned of the I Ching, yet h e term as shown in figure 1-5b .
understood its approach .
If we study different ways of deriving the 8 trigrams and the 6 4 -t-
hexagrams from the original Tai Chi sphere, then we will begin t o +}
+

_+ _+_+ _
understand the way they are grouped and their meanings will becom e .7= ~" =

clearer . We have already seen this in the simple way the four symbols
describe the phases of the moon or a person's development . Each
taken alone, the four symbols are useful, but when put in a series tha t
follows a cycle, they become many times more informative .
We have also seen how the 4 symbols and the 8 trigrams can b e or
derived by a simple splitting of Yin and Yang that develops like th e (b2 +ba+ab+a2 ) (b+a)
branches of a tree or the veins of a leaf . Obviously this process ca n
= (b + a) 3 = b3 + 3b 2 a + 3ba2 + a 3
be continued till we reach the 64 hexagrams .
Still another method of derivation is best understood throug h = b3 + b 2 a + b 2 a + b 2 a + ba2 + ba2 + ba2 + a 3
noting its similarity to modern algebra. We will take Yin and Yang _ __+—+++=+ =+_+ _
together, and multiply that by itself as shown in figure 1-5a .
Figure 1-5 b
- - +
Note that the bottom line of a series of Yaos always is the firs t
element, so that a Yin Yang translates to . _ . We can see how
(Yin plus Yang)3 results in the eight trigrams .
+ + +
Finally, if we take (Yin plus Yang) 6 we will arrive at the 6 4
If a represent hexagrams . If a = Yin and b = Yang, we can use this formula :
b represent - -
(a + b) 6 = a 6 + 6a5 b + 15a4 b2 + 20a 3 b 3 + 15a 2 b4 + 6ab 5 + b6 .
from (b + a) 2 = b2 + ba + ab + a2 or (Yin + Yang)6 = Yin' + 6Yin 5 Yang + 15Yin 4 Yang2
+ 20Yin 3 Yang3 + 15Yin 2 Yang4
(--+_)2= + + + + 6 Yin Yang' + Yang'
Figure 1-5 a
This condensation gives us a picture of how many hexagrams hav e
We can see how similar this is to multiplying (a + b) times (a + b) . a particular proportion of Yin to Yang in the lines : 6 Yin, no Yang ;
The only difference being that in algebra ab and ba are put togethe r 5 Yin, 1 Yang ; 4 Yin, 2 Yang ; and so on . If we think of the hexagram s
as a single term, 2ab, whether the a or b comes first . But in derivin g as a thorough picture of the world, we can see that 20 parts of th e
the lines, ab and ba have different meanings and are kept separate . 64 part map show a world where there is an even balance of 3 and 3 ,
(Yin plus Yang) 2 gives us the four symbols we already know . If and 50 of the 64 parts are either even or close to it (20Yin 3 Yang 3 ,


42 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter One Raising The Veil Of Mystery 43

15Yin4 Yang2 , 1 5Yin 2 Yang4 ) . As we go further out to all Yin an d

all Yang, we see how rapidly these become _very small in proportio n
to the whole picture . We can liken this to a person's life and how i t
has its rare moments of great ecstasy or intense unhappiness . We al l
sense that we would not be whole without moments such as these .
Most of the time, however, life is more balanced and our emotiona l
experiences are moderate . Still, they have a complexity and richnes s
that make them just as meaningful as the extreme high points and lo w
points of life . Students of statistics will recognize in the distributio n
of the hexagrams a variation of the standard bell curve, which is use d
statistically to categorize all events . (See figure 1-5c and 1-5d . )

The normal curve

Figure 1-5c


44 The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter One Raising The Veil Of Mystery 45

The above diagram shows the distribution of the hexagrams i n

groups that occurs if we think of Yin plus Yang raised to the sixth power .
The diagram shows that the traditional methods of deriving the orde r
21 of the 64 hexagrams are not the only ones, and that new and moder n
derivations can be evolved . A student of mathematical statistics migh t
64
note the similarity of the diagram to the standard curves used in statistic s
22 to predict events, and find many new things from the study of th e
hexagram . Those of us who apply it to everyday life can easily find a s
63
many things . Suppose for example we take a Yin line as being a da y
53 when our intelligence and intuition is most dominant, and a Yang line a s
a day when our sense of action and effective action is most dominant .
35 59 55 Then we can read each hexagram as the 6 days of a week . In this study ,
we'll find less than one week a year when our intelligence is totall y
52 47 58 dominant, and the same for our ability to act . Weeks when all bu t
39 42 38 one day is dominant one way or the other will occur 6 times a yea r
for each possibility . Finally we have the weeks where the two ar e
4 17 49 evenly balanced or close to it ; these will occur 78 percent of the time ,
or about 4 weeks in every 5 .
29 55 30 We are now at the core of the I Ching — its 64 hexagrams. Each
40 56 37 hexagram contains six Yaos, and people always ask the question, " A
trigram has three Yaos, why don't they use four for the next step ?
27 18 28 Or for that matter, five? Or seven? Why six? "
This question was occasionally a controversial point even in ancien t
3 48 50
times . But it was largely a waste of energy ; the equivalent of medieva l
51 41 57 Christian theologians arguing about how many angels can dance o n
the head of a pin .
23 36 60 6 43 To understand why six Yaos are used, ask yourself the following :
8 20 54 34 14 Why does a foot have 12 inches? Why does a meter have 100 centi-
meters? Why does an hour have 60 minutes? Why isn't our week nin e
16 45 12 26 9 days instead of seven? "
All we can say in reply is that experience shows that a foot is a
15 62 31 61 10 very convenient way to solve most problems of measurement in dail y
7 46 32 25 13 life . True, if we need to measure the diameter of a hair or the distanc e
between New York and Boston, we need a "special" division of measure-
24 19 11 33 44 1 ment, but otherwise a foot will do fine .
The same is true of the hexagrams using six Yaos . Six Yaos ca n
solve most of our daily problems, but we are free to use what is usefu l
Figure 1-5d

46 The Tao Of I-Ching
for us . It is not hard to imagine that we might make up a series o f
seven lined figures, and use them to study our weekly activities .
We can see how different numbers of Yaos are useful by our studie s
of the moon — we can use Yin and Yang, or • and o, or - - and — to
talk about the new and full periods . This is one Yao . Then if we begin
to talk about the quarters, we need to use the four symbols, whic h
are built with two Yaos . If we want still more detail, we can use th e
eight trigrams with three Yaos and the hexagrams with six Yaos as
shown in figure 1-S e and 1-5f .
Figure I-5 e
C1
Figure 1-5 f
Of course, this concept can apply to many things . If we take th e
circle in the center to be the sun and imagine the outer sphere to b e
the earth, then we are studying the seasons . We can study the caree r
of an individual or a nation . And it is clear we can use even more than
Chapter One Raising The Veil Of Mystery 47
six lines if we want . For example, someone can make up a seven Ya o
symbol and use it to study the course of the week . So we repeat :
six lines can show clearly what we need to know about most problem s
of daily life, but we can sometimes use fewer or more lines .
Another important matter is the ordering of the 64 hexagrams .
We saw how Fu Hsi and others arranged the 8 trigrams into a complet e
cycle and used this order in a logical way . How do we arrange th e
64 hexagrams in a circle that makes sense? One way is the example
of (Yin + Yang) 6 , which generates a mathematical sequence . In the
Chou Dynasty, mathematics had not yet developed to this degre e
of sophistication in algebra . Instead, the Chinese used an ingeniou s
visual method . First they arranged the eight trigrams in the Fu Hs i
arrangement as shown in figure 1-5g.
( )
Figure 1-5 g
Note that in these diagrams, the "bottom" line is the one closest t o
the circle, which stands for the earth .
To develop the 64 hexagrams from the eight trigrams, they expande d
each trigram further out from the center and drew a circle aroun d
it . Now all they had to do was put another eight trigrams around eac h
circle . To read a hexagram, we read first the inner trigram, and then
the series of outer trigrams circling it . We have eight hexagrams . Then
we go on to the next circled trigram in the diagram and get anothe r
eight, and so on, as shown in figure 1-5h .


48 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter One Raising The Veil Of Mystery 49

Tire ancient students of the I Ching also invented a grid patter n

for developing the 64 hexagrams in an orderly manner . If we stud y
the block below we will see that the inner (bottom) trigrams are alway s
the same in each file going across, while the outer (upper) trigram s
are the same in each vertical row as shown in Figure 1-5j .

IIII III !If am

=
///
III ~+ lII /,~

:II

Figure I-5 h

The final result of this kind of computation by diagram is a wheel

like the one shown below . The one shown here is derived using a circular
order that follows the pattern of the eight trigrams we derived b y
branching Yin and Yang as shown in figure 1-5i .

Figure 1-5 j

If we combine the wheel and the grid we get this frequently re -

Figure 1-5i produced diagram as shown in figure 1-5k .

50 The Tao Of I-Ching
Figure 1-5 k
The diagram looks as tightly packed with data as a railroad timetable .
Since the hexagrams relate to any subject, they contain much informa-
tion in them . Yet we can see how they begin with a simple notion o f
Wu Chi and Tai Chi, Yin and Yang, and expand to more complicate d
situation in a few steps . In a similar way, at times we may be in a moo d
to see that all human actions begin with the simple relationship of on e
person to another, and at other times marvel at the complexity an d
richness of our human social world, which seems unbounded .
The order of Yao in a hexagram is read from bottom to top . Th e
image of this is the earth below with things growing up out of it t o
the sky . The simple order of Yao from the bottom is first, second ,
third, fourth, fifth, and top Yao . For each of these Yaos in a hexagra m
there is a text or judgment giving the meaning of the Yao .
We also use the odd number 9 to represent a Yang quality occupyin g
a Yao and the even number 6 to represent a Yin quality occupying it .
Chapter One Raising The Veil Of Mystery 51
A sample is shown in figure 1-51 .
Top Yao I 1 Top - 6
Fifth Yao 5th - 9
Fourth Yao I 1 1 4th - 6
Third Yao 3rd - 9
Second Yao 2nd -9
First Yao I I 1st - 6
Figure 1-5 e
The first and second Yao are the beginning stages, or an ome n
of an event or phenomena . The fifth and top Yao indicate its conclusio n
and fulfillment . These are the beginning and end of the six Yaos . Also ,
the inner trigram represents the past and the outer one the future .
Their combination represents our present . We must keep in min d
that the notions of past, present, and future are among the mos t
complex and mysterious perceptions we have . We do not perceiv e
the past and future in everyday life and experience, but a kind o f
continuous present that is perceived without a beginning or end . An d
yet, without notions of past and future, we could not organize ou r
lives and the world in which we live . Further, we can easily imagin e
how the past affects the future, but how can the future change th e
past? Consider two men who have separately been working toward s
some goal for three years to date . Next year the work will be completed ,
and one man will fail completely, and the other will succeed . Nex t
year one man will say, "That three years of work was a waste of time "
and the other will say, "Those were the most productive three year s
of my life . "
Yet right now the three years do not have meaning for either o f
the two men . We look at them and see that they are both the same .
In this case, the future will give the past its meaning . In the same way ,
we find ourselves making experiments in living and later saying "tha t
was stupid " or "that was smart . " Yet, as we make these experiments
in the present, we can only give them our best efforts without alway s
knowing their meaning until some future time .
 T

52 The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter One Raising The Veil Of Mystery 53

The positions of the Yao also represent the rank and social role s first Yao, the feet ; the second Yao, the calves ; the third Yao, the waist
of people : and thighs ; the fourth Yao, the abdomen ; the fifth Yao, the chest ;
and the top Yao, the neck and head . This is illustrated in figur e
The first Yao represents all people as a mass (MIX ) . 1-5m .

The second Yao represents the scholar (± ). Top Ya o

Today we might call them the technician, scientist, skille d
5th Ya o
worker.
4th Yao
The third Yao represents the official ()c ) . 3d Ya o
Today we might say bureaucrat, politician, or administrator . 2d Ya o

The fourth Yao represents the high ranking officer ( $gyp ) . 1st Yao
Today we might say cabinet minister, or presidential advisor .

The fifth Yao represents the King ( ).

Today we might say president, prime minister, or leader . Figure 1-5 m
The sixth Yao represents the hermit of virtue and talent (%A ).
Today we might say the person of talent who has cultivate d Similarly, we may study the face using the Yaos : the first Yao ,
and realized it to the most advanced degree . the jaw ; the second Yao, the cheeks ; the third Yao, the nose ; the fourth
Yao, the ears ; the fifth Yao, the eyes ; and the top Yao, the forehead .
These positions were evolved before or during the Hsia Dynast y This is illustrated in figure 1-5n .
(2205-1766 B .C.) .
It is important to note that God is not part of this series of ranks ;
it is a human summary . It is also very important to note that the to p 5th Yao
rank of human value is not the king or the person in power . It goe s
and Ya o
to the person who uses talents to good effect in life and culture .
This is because a person can become " king" by fortune or birth , 1st Ya o
even if lacking merit as a person . Thus, the person who combine s
fortune with an active will and out of this reaches useful achievement s
Figure 1-5n
is the most worthy . Throughout recorded history, kings tried to mak e
one of their children king . The role was usually defined by heredity .
We may wonder how this kind of study could possibly yiel d
However, if we go back to the earliest times, when the ordering an d
important knowledge of the human body or head . Without goin g
regulating of human society was just beginning and was much more
into detail, we can say that the nature of our earth, with its gravity ,
difficult, we find the "king" or "leader" was chosen according to merit .
must necessarily order the way the body is formed in a very complet e
And even today, while fortune and social status at birth determin e
way that extends to every detail of design and use . If this is so, then
the lives of most people, we still have the "self-made man " or woman
when we study this ordering, we will begin to find out fundamenta l
who achieves success through merit only .
things about the way the body and mind work . For a humorous
The six Yaos can also apply to the study of the human body : the


54 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 55

example, if our head was on the ground and our legs in the air, ou r
bodies would not work very well .

Chapter Two :
THE MIRACLE OF DIVINATIO N
0C C
CCC C

■In aka.
2-1 The Rationale for Divination

Now we come to the following questions . Why do we divinate ?

How does it work? Why do we use six lines? Why is the time im-
portant?
We can begin to understand the answers to questions like these b y
reviewing the Tai Chi diagram and seeing how simply it can describe ou r
world . First we have Wu Chi, no change ; hen we have the Tai Chi Stage ,
where there is a little change . Since now we have changed an d
unchanged, we have duality, the two forms called the Liung Yi . If we
want to describe our world this way, we can draw a line as in figure 2-1 a .

0 +

Figure 2-l a

We can see on the line that from a point of origin there are tw o
directions . We can call these plus and minus . By using these two forms,


56 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 57

we can describe any place on the line in relation to its origin . We nee d z
one Yao to do this, and we can call our line one dimensional . Though
we may rarely think of it this way, we frequently use one-dimensiona l
thought . For example, in travelling from one town to another, w e
consider only one dimension . If we have a goal we are working towards ,
we picture a line from where we are to where the goal is and say thing s
like "today I took a step backwards!" or "I am nearly there!" .
If we take two of these lines and place them at right angles to eac h
other, however, we begin to create a diagram that is more recognizabl e
to us as the flat plane or Descartes Coordinants as shown in figure 2-lb .
+
Figure 2-1 c
1
We can see how this creates a division of all space into eight sections ,
and how the minus or plus of each X, Y, Z coordinante in each sectio n
will create a different trigram . If we use a sphere instead of a grid, we
have another useful diagram : each segment is a triangle with three sides .
+ We can analyze our spherical earth's surface with Yaos representing eac h
0
side of the triangle as shown in figure 2-1 d .

Figure 2-l b

If we examine this diagram closely, we can see how we now requir e

two lines — call them length and width — to describe any place on th e
plane . With these two Yao, we can locate any point in relation to th e
origin at the center . Since each Yao can take a plus or minus, we hav e
the four symbols we can see in the diagram . Even though we live in
three dimensions, we often use two-dimensional maps to describe th e
surface of our earth, the floor plan of a house, and so on.
But now we add a third line at right angles to the first two lines, an d Figure 2-1 d
we have three dimensions or space coordinants, with a Yao for each ,
as shown in figure 2-1 c . We experience our world partly as space . Though a child may neve r
think " it is all three dimensions" the moment it is explained to him i n
school, he understands . Why? Because it is the simplest description .
If we try to use less, we fall short of describing space thoroughly . If we

58 The Tao Of 1-Ching
use more, then part of it is not needed and wastes our time .
Then we may ask, why six lines? The answer is that there is anothe r
aspect to our world that physical dimensions do not describe . We call
it "time" and we also link it with mental and spiritual qualities . (See
chapter Two, The Tao of meditation, Way to Enlightenment by Jou ,
Tsung Hwa, 1983 .)
We might call this a fourth dimension . If we could be aware of al l
four dimensions then we would be in a godlike state, for the fourt h
dimension contains all past, present and future . But here we are
stopper , for there is no place to add a fourth line to our diagram o f
space .
Sc we use our imagination and observation . What do we know abou t
time`:' What do we know about the spiritual dimension? The answer s
that come to us are paradoxes . Time is with us constantly and part o f
everything we do, yet we have no idea how to describe it . Furthermore ,
all our space lines go forwards or backwards, but we see time only goe s
one way — past, present, future . Even more, we only occupy a tin y
point on the time line, the present .
We find similar paradoxes when we try to look at the spiritua l
dimension . We are sure there are things, such as our soul, our spirit ,
our feelings, our will, that we cannot see, touch or hear in the physica l
world . Most of u4 can agree on the existence of phenomena . For
example, the color yellow is yellow. However, in the spiritual
dimension, we find agreements harder to reach, and perhaps only the
poet or the mystic can say very much at all .
All of this creates a sense of mystery in life . Perhaps we are a littl e
like shadows who are used to living on a two dimensional surface that i s
part of a three dimensional world . A child with a ball on a string drop s
it among the shadows . Its appearance is a complete mystery . The chil d
pulls the ball away with the string . Its disappearance is likewise totally
incomprehensible . We live and breathe and take our nourishment fro m
a four dimensional world, yet we have only three dimensions with whic h
to talk about it . Even if we make a clock to show time, it is like a
reflection of the fourth dimension in the three dimensional world — i f
we take the hands of the clock and turn them backwards, time does no t
go back !
Yet, this does not close the issue . We all have links with this greate r
world in our everyday living . We have all had the kind of experience we
Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 59
first call "coincidence" . Perhaps we are thinking of a friend, and jus t
as the thought of him enters our mind, the phone rings and it's him.
We ponder someone we know in our work lives . Everything seem s
fine with them, yet somehow we think "something is happening" ; eve n
though there is no visible sign . Suddenly, we have a "brainstorm" ; we
snap our fingers and say, "I bet I know why she seems different . She's
thinking of getting married ." We look over the details and see nothing
explicit . Yet we sense that there is a subtle change in her attitude an d
actions that shows this . We say "It is as if everything a person does an d
is appears in their everyday behaviour ." We feel no surprise when sh e
introduces her fiance to friends at the office the following week .
Or perhaps we have a spouse or an old friend we see frequently .
Another old friend shows up and says "how is he?" And we find
ourselves giving a detailled description of their explicit feelings and plans .
Then we think, and realize, that he has never described any of thes e
things fully to us in words . Yet, from a vague gesture, a tone of voice ,
a few words, we know everything .
If we cultivate our awareness of these "coincidences", we find the m
happening more and more just as anything we give our attention t o
seems to increase . Finally, we stop using the word "coincidence," an d
call it intuition .
And we think: "Well, I can't control it . It just happens ." But the n
we think some more . We remember that when we became curious abou t
it, it happened more often . So we do control it, indirectly, by nurturin g
it
Perhaps then we remember our school biology class and how w e
learned that all living things evolve : first creatures with only a dim sens e
of energy and warmth, then something like a starfish that can sense light ,
then later a creature with eyes that focus and distinguish objects .
Perhaps we think if life in general evolves, then it must be true that
we have the opportunity to evolve as individuals . We begin with our fiv e
senses and now and then these "coincidences" occur . If we cultivat e
them, we begin to evolve more of them . We remember how bright and
complete our sense impression of the world looked when we wer e
children, and, if we are sensitive, it still looks bright and complete .
Somehow, however, our appreciation of its complexity is more intens e
as we grow older . We begin to sense that our body and spirit are no t
static .

The Tao Of I-Ching
60
Divination is one of the ways we cultivate ourselves in this way .
It deals with a sense we may someday develop a sense that we ma y
perceive directly, with control — provided that we are willing t o
endlessly and patiently follow the modest and humble methods o f
nurturing it in ourselves .
Whereas our three Yaos of space are explicit and definite, we mus t
add something to them that recognizes the other perceptions we hav e
of things we do not know how to describe so finally : time and th e
world of spirit . By adding a place for these to the Yaos, we will b e
focusing our attention upon the whole of our world when we divinate .
Why we are able to take yarrow sticks, coins, omens and time, an d
systematically derive a meaning from them, is a research area for a
specialist . Now and then we read in a newspaper article how scientist s
discover that people have incredible powers under hypnotism, and s o
forth . This tells us that we truly do not know the true scope of ou r
perceptions and actions . In the philosophy of the I Ching, we say tha t
our living can be in harmony with all heaven and earth, and all ou r
actions guided by them .
When we add our special Yaos to our ones for space, another lin e
will not suffice, This fourth dimension we speak of has qualities that ar e
not completely like the dimensional Yao, and we sense this . So we look
back to the Liung Yi with its two forms, and we take time as a secon d
form, and add not one Yao, but a set of three to match the first three .
Perhaps we may find other meanings to put into these three Yao i f
our understanding grows with time, but we begin quite simply by callin g
the first, past, the second, present, and the third, future . These represen t
our clearest simple understandings of time, and just as humanity i s
placed between heaven and earth, so our present comes between pas t
and future, as shown in figure 2-le .
6 Futur e
Outer
5 Present Tim e
Trigram
Pas t
4
3 Heigh t
Inner
2 Width Space
Trigram
Length
Figure 2-le
Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 61
We now have an empty "diagram" of six Yaos that describes ou r
entire sense of our world. Sixty-four hexagrams can fit into thi s
diagram, and only 64 . One or the other will give us an exact and specific
direction to look for understanding . Since this combination covers all
events, we can examine situations in our life that are superficially
unrelated, but are described by the same hexagram . Then we can d o
things like take a sure knowledge we have in one situation, and work a t
carrying it over into another with the assurance the knowledge will be
equally workable there . By studying these 64, we are simultaneousl y
studying our own lives in a thorough and systematic way .
Since our whole life is involved as we study the I Ching, ou r
knowledge will increase slowly in many areas rather than rapidly in a
few. For example, when we ask for a hexagram in divination, we ar e
studying discernment . To extend this discernment in everyday lif e
is a large area of study . Yet we must have the complement of discern-
ment, which is to be able to act effectively and successfully with th e
information we gain . This, too, is a large area, and we study this using
the structure of the hexagrams as a guide .
Sometimes we may study actively, by making the Hu Tie n
arrangement of trigrams to improve our understanding of the trigrams .
At times we may guide ourselves through personal events of th e
greatest seriousness . At other times we may study with light-hearte d
zeal and imagine ourselves like the fictional detective Sherlock Holme s
who could patiently ferret out the densest mysteries with only a fe w
clues.
If we have great ambitions in either a specific or general area, the I
Ching can guide us in our development . We should never limit ourselves
by the accomplishments of a figure of the past . For they made th e
beginnings of a value that has evolved as it has come down to us in time .
It is left to us to take it and develop it further .
Wherever we are in life, the I Ching can always show us that ther e
is great opportunity open to us, and how to look for it . But to achieve
real improvements in our life and enjoyment of it, we need to keep a
basic approach firmly in mind — look for the answer by findin g
appropriate ways to correct our conduct or improve its quality . Thi s
carries over to the spirit of modesty in asking for guidance from heaven .
It is a simple and easy approach that always works towards harmony .
We may also consider this approach when we want to influence others —


62 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 63

instead of considering direct approaches or criticism, we ask ourselve s

how we may improve our conduct so the harmony of its example is har d
to ignore . The effectiveness of this simple attitude and approach ca n
only be understood when we actually try it for ourselves over a period o f
time and examine the results .

2-2 The Traditional Approach NW El

Now we come to the actual rituals of divining with the I Ching . It

should be remembered that a ritual is not a series of meaningless
superstitions carried out without any sense of their meaning . It is a
process that we can see in all human activity, even in something a s
informal as two people greeting each other . And it has the effect o f
focusing our attention on the importance and meaning of what we ar e
doing .
The traditional rituals of divination are recommended even to th e
modern student . Where it is not practicable to follow them completely ,
we can evolve our own modern translation of the spirit of them . By
doing this, we reap the benefits of following tradition wherever possible ,
and we also recognize that change is part of the tradition of the Boo k
of Changes . Figure 2-2 a
When we can, we set aside a room that is used exclusively fo r
divination and study . If we do not do this, then perhaps we find a plac e
that we can set up to use temporarily in this way . We store our physica l The Tu is placed at the back of the square table, and in front of i t
tools of divination carefully, and bring them out when we divinate . W e we place two Sen Kua (E ). Sen Kua is a curved bamboo shell ,
choose a time and situation where we will be undisturbed, away fro m about the size and shape of the cupped palm of a hand . In front of th e
noise and distraction . Sen Kua we place an ancient Chinese jug, made of China or brass, to hol d
On the wall, we hang a picture of Fu Hsi, King Wen, the Duke o f a stalk when we divinate . In front of the jug, we place an incense burner .
Chou, Confucius and the Great Yu (*A , An ancient Chinese Kin g For recording our work, we use "the four treasures of a study room" :
who dug canals prevent flood .) See figure 2-2a . a writing brush ( ), an inkslab ( ), an ink stick ( ), and writing
We have a low, square table, large enough to accommodate our work . papers . We have six Yao bars . A Yao bar is a wood plate a half inc h
Behind this we have a smaller, long, narrow table for holding the incens e thick and about one inch by ten inches . On one side we have carved i n
burner and materials when not in use . the bar, the sign of Yin (- -) in black. On the other side we have th e
We have a bundle of 50 yarrow stalks, 15 to 20 inches long . In sign of Yang ( ) in red.
storage, these are wrapped in light red silk . The wrapped stalks are then Before we begin our divination, we arrange these Yao on the table t o
put in a black silk bag . Finally, this is put in a Tu ( ), which is a form the hexagram Tai ( 1t.), as shown in figure 2-2b .
cylinder made of bamboo or hardwood . It is about three inches i n All of these items comprise the tools of divination . Our large table
diameter and has a cover that fits over the top . should be set up in front of a window facing South . We now come t o

64 The Tao Of I-Ching
11
1 time . If one Sen Kua is up and the other down, then it is the time . W e
Hexagram Tai
Figure 2-2 b
the preparations and rituals . Here, there is no substitution or simplifica-
tion — second best is not good enough! — for we are concerned wit h
developing our inner attitude and its proper expression .
First, we purify ourselves in advance by observing rules of fastin g
and abstinence, and then by bathing . For example, we might rise in th e
morning, bathe, and then go to our divination without having an y
breakfast .
We burn incense and light candles as an outward sign of our sincerit y
in consulting the I Ching.
Now we consider our question . We divine to give ourselves a
direction out of confusion . We consider our concerns quietly . If we
find that we can see a clear way of acting and dealing with things ,
then we do not divine . We have already seen the answer in our inne r
selves directly . The purpose of divination is to cultivate this persona l
meditation and help it along only when it has foundered .
If we decide on divination, then we kneel on the ground which has a
seat cushion and pray . The Chinese prayer is given here . We can mak e
up a prayer in our own language that follows it spirit . "Heaven is silen t
and nature goes its hidden ways without words . Yet I believe thi s
side of nature can be felt, and I believe that when I ask sincerely, heave n
will communicate a reply to me . In this matter I am considering, I d o
not know what actions will bring good fortune or ill fortune . I do no t
see my way and I ask for guidance and clarity ."
If we go on to make a divination and find we do not like it an d
forget it or do something else, then there is no point in divining at all .
We are only following random impulses. If the divination is hard to
Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 65
accept, this only means our imagination has become narrowly caugh t
up in a corner . We can correct this by looking at things with new an d
positive attitudes and freeing ourselves thereby to use our imaginatio n
effectively to carry things out .
After the prayer, we then throw the two Sen Kua upon the ground .
If both come to rest face up or both face down, then it is not the righ t
time . We then sit quietly and wait a while and throw again . Perhap s
if they repeatedly say no, we conclude our ritual and come back anothe r
open the Tu and remove the yarrow stalks from the black bag and the
red silk . We hold the 50 stalks in both hands and make a circle in th e
air above the incense .
We then draw one of the 50 stalks and place it in the jug . This ac t
symbolizes the change from Wu Chi to Tai Chi . The one stalk represent s
the state of Tai Chi, the source of Yin and Yang and all the change s
that come from it . We do not move this stalk until our divinations ar e
completed . We then divide the remaining 49 stalks into two bundles .
We do this not by counting, but by simply holding some stalks in th e
right hand and some in the left hand . We then lay the left hand bundl e
to the left of the jug and the right hand burndle to the right of the jug .
These two piles represent the two symbols, or the Liung Yi . as shown in
figure 2-2c .
Tai Ch i
Two Symbols
Figure 2-2c
Now draw one stalk from the right pile and place this between th e
little finger and the ring finger of the left hand . From the right pil e
we now take two stalks at a time till we have four piles of two stalk s
for a total of eight stalks . The two stalks represent the two forms, Yi n
and Yang . The four piles of two each represent the four symbols . The


66 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 67

complete group of eight represents the eight trigrams . trigram . For example, if our remainder is six, we add this to the one i n
After we have separated the first eight in this way, we repeat th e our hand and our number is "7" . We consult the cycle of trigrams an d
procedure again making four piles of two for our total of eight . We d o determine that our outer trigram is Ken ( . ) . We then arrange the thre e
this until we have a remainder of from "zero" to "seven " stalks ; not top Yaos accordingly as shown in figure 2-2e .
enough to make four piles of two . To this remainder we add one (fo r
the stalk in our hand) and the total gives us the number of our inne r
trigram (from one to eight) .
To find the trigram that corresponds to this number, we use th e
r
following cycle of trigrams :

1. Chien . 2. Tui . 3. =- Li . 4. Chen . 1•

5• _ _ Sun . 6 . _ Kan . 7 . =Ken . 8 . Ea Kun. I

For example, if we have a remainder of 2 stalks and add the on e
stalk in our left hand, our number is "3" . By consulting the cycle o f
trigrams we determine that our inner trigram is Li (_ ) .
We then arrange the, three bottom Yao bars accordingly from th e
hexagram Tai on the table as shown in figure 2-2d .
1 1
Figure 2-2 e
We now have our hexagram . Pick up the 49 stalks a third time .
Again we separate them and make two piles, one to the left and th e
other to the right of the jug . This time, choosing from the right pile ,
we count by twos again, but only arranging groups of six (three piles i n
each group) . We make as many groups of six as possible, until we have a
remainder of "zero" to "five" . That number plus the one stick in ou r
hand gives us the "moving Yao " or Pien Yao ( jC ) .
The Pien Yao tells us which Yao will change to its opposite . When
the change is made, a new hexagram is formed, and this is called th e
Shih hexagram ( ) of the original .
For example, if our remainder is "four" and we add the one in ou r
hand, our Pien Yao is "5" . Therefore, we change the fifth Yao in ou r
hexagram as shown in figure 2-2f.

Figure 2-2d 6
5 WEI
Once we have our inner trigram, we pick up all 49 sticks and repea t
4 El=
the process . This time, however, we choose our sticks from the left-han d
3
pile. After putting one stick from the left-hand pile between the littl e
finger and the ring finger of the left hand, we start counting the stick s 2 =IE
by twos, until we have made as many groups of eight (four piles of tw o
each) as possible . Again, our remainder plus the stick in our hand wil l
give us a number from one to eight . This number determines our outer Figure 2-2 f
l


The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 69

68

We now have tJae two hexagrams that give us our divination . We have
asked and nature has answered .
We may then use our writing materials to record the reading for ou r
study . In studying the reading and considering its relation to us, we use
the same quiet and serious approach we followed throughout th e
divination .
During the early Han Dynasty period of 206 B .C . to 24 A .D ., Chin g
Wong (-t ) brought into use another method of divination using thre e
Chinese coins ; as shown in figure 2-2g .
Figure 2-2g
In this method we use three Chinese coins or select other coins .
Perhaps we use new coins or take our coins and clean and polish them t o
prepare them for their new use. The dins are placed in a cylindrica l
container with a tightly fitting cover . Its size is three to four inches i n
diameter and four to six inches high . Again we follow the same ritua l
but instead of picking up the Tu, we pick up the container of coins . To
read, we shake the container and pour out the coins . We interpret th e
coins as follows :
Two tails are called Che ( #)F ), write down " • ", meaning Yan g
Two heads are called Tau ( . ), write " v ", meaning Yi n
Three heads are called Chiao ( ), write " x ", meaning old Yin movin g
to Yang
Three tails are called Chung ( ), write "0", meaning old Yang movin g
to Yin
The first throw determines the first Yao, and so on . For example :
1st Yao is Che or N . 0 where we read enough of the meaning to satisfy our needs — o r
2nd Yao is Tau o r ,\
3rd Yao is Chung or Q trouble as a result .
After three throws, we have . our inner trigram, and we stop an d
repeat our prayer . Then we complete the outer trigram and study .
We can see that this method can sometimes give us only on e
hexagram to study with no Pien Yao, and sometimes it can give us tw o
hexagrams with up to all six Yaos changing . Generally, we receive a
result that is much more complex and requires more careful thought an d
study than the reading from the stalks .
The most highly advanced students of the I Ching would extend thi s
classical divination by using added indicators of divination called th e
Ten Celestial Stems ( - ), the Twelve Earth Branches ( ), an d
the Five Elements (3~. Tr ) . These involve the use of calendars, month s
and days of the year, and still other factors . Knowledge of these
methods is relatively rare, even among the Chinese people . It is
comparable to high level calculus contrasted with simple arithmetic .
Since we can answer our questions a simpler way, we do not use a mor e
complicated one . These advanced forms,however, do show us how th e
derivation of a reading from the Tai Chi sphere can be carried to an y
degree of complexity .
1E1
2 . 3 The Master-key to Soun d
Judgment
Now we come to how we judge the meaning of our divination i n
relation to the question we asked . For this, we begin with the Kwa Ts i
of King Wen and the Yao Tsi of the Duke of Chou .
These works are like sketches or outlines of a drama, rather than a
detailed explanation . This kind of sketchy outline is actually very
common in our lives . However, we may forget that we have bee n
learning all our lives to read these "sketches" . For example, turn on th e
TV and we hear the newscaster summarize : "Youth rescues drownin g
swimmer . " Immediately we know a lot about the story . We come t o
the office and see the boss 's wife glaring at the pretty new secretary . N o
one needs to tell us what is happening . We l ook across the street and se e
two men facing each other with rigid postures, one with his fist raised ,
and we know what we are seeing . Every day we pass through man y
situations where a glance at things tells us "something is happening " an d
perhaps we don ' t read the situation correctly an d find we get into

70 The Tao Of I-Ching
In fact, when we look at our troubles, we may often find that the y
come from our not being alert and reading the signs carefully .
Divination with the I Ching teaches us to do this in a thorough an d
systematic way. Since it speaks of the future, it also teaches us to us e
our imagination to prepare ourselves effectively .
To illustrate this, let us look at the process of divination . We wil l
call the hexagram we divine the Pen Kua ( * 11- ), which means "origina l
hexagram . " We will use the first hexagram, Chien, as an example :
5 5
4 4
3
2
1
From our Kwa Tsi we know that Chien is creativity or heaven .
Its image is six dragons that govern the heavens . Its symbol is the all -
inclusive . Then we go to the Yao Tsi and observe the reading for th e
changing Yao . If the first line is the changing Yao, we read "The drago n
is lying under the water ." We know the dragon is active in the sky, an d
it is easy to interpret "here at the beginning, the time is not good for an y
activity . " So we will wait alertly, like the cat watching for a mouse ,
until we see signs that things are opening up for us .
If the second Yao were changing instead of the first, we would rea d
"The dragon is in the field. The time is good to have a meeting wit h
an influential person ." Then we know that the whole situation is goo d
and it is time to become active .
Our interpretations must stay close to what is suggested, yet als o
apply to our situation . If we are looking for a job, it is easy to see wit h
the second Yao that it is time to go out for job interviews . But suppos e
we have a personal creative project where we work totally alone . Who is
the influential person? Here, that " person " is our own sense of inne r
creativity -- a quality that we have excellent acess to at some times, an d
at other times do not . This is just like an influential person who may o r
may not be receptive to what we want .
We can see from these two Yaos how a slight change creates a totally
Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 71
different situation for us . Once we have our hexagram and changing
Yao, our stage is set for the drama to unfold .
Every situation has a beginning, a middle where everything is active ,
and finally a conclusion . To find the active middle, we create a ne w
hexagram called the Hu Kua ( ) . We literally take our old hexagram
apart, using the lines two, three and four for our lower trigram, and th e
lines three, four and five for our upper trigram as shown in picture 2-3a .
-5 3
-4
-3
-2
4
3
2
Figure 2-3 a
Since the Hu Kua is made by taking the four inner lines of the Pe n
Kua and expanding them, there can only be sixteen different Hu Ku a
which is the total number of combinations possible using those fou r
lines . The Hu Kua is important if we consider that the third and fourt h
lines of the Pen Kua are for humanity, and they are expanded to form
four of the six lines of the Hu Kua . The Yin-Yang of the second an d
third Yaos of the Hu Kua is the same as the Yin-Yang of the fourth an d
fifth Yaos, since both correspond to lines three and four of the Pen Ku a
or original hexagram .
With the Hu Kua that we derive from Chien, we have an unusua l
situation — the Hu Kua is the same as the Pen Kua . This is very good i n
general, but very poor for asking about health conditions .
The Hu Kua may suggest an "inner situation " that is much differen t
from the clearly described beginning . This is like when one sees a clearl y
defined situation, decides to get involved with it, and the moment on e

The Tao Of I-Ching
72
becomes involved, everything shifts around and is changed . This is
because one has entered the situation and added something new to it .
Here in the middle we follow the suggestions of the Hu Kua . But w e
must also keep in mind that it is a transitional stage . For example it ma y
be a poor hexagram — yet the rest of the divination tells us the overal l
reading is good . Then we know we should be patient and not "thro w
away our chance ." Perhaps we begin our day and feel our opening plan s
collapse, and we think the day will accomplish little, but we work along ,
and then in the evening we look back and realize that somehow thing s
"cleared up" and we did quite well because we persevered .
We can also understand the opposite situation, where all seems t o
be going well in the middle, then we find at the end all sorts of reverses .
This is like a Hu Kua that is good while the final part of the divination i s
poor . Since we know this, we do not lose even more by being shocke d
and taken aback when the fortunes change . Instead, we "make ha y
while the sun shines" and use the middle to cultivate ourselves in a lon g
range way that will not be limited by the poor outcome . And when th e
fortunes do become poor, we relax our positive efforts quickly, an d
adapt ourselves to the wisest way of handling the difficulties . In this
way we may do better with a poor fortune than someone with a muc h
better fortune who wastes most of it through carelessness or intemperat e
feelings.
We find our final stage of the divination by using the moving Yao t o
generate a new hexagram, which we call the Shih Kua (, F ). We
arrange all three hexagrams in order, as shown in figure 2-3b .
Pen Kua Hu Kua Shih Kua
1 earth is the source of metals, and how metal brings dew in the form o f
r condensed droplets of water — these simple examples can help a s
1
moving Yao L J
Figure 2-3b
Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 73
With these three hexagrams we have a complete reading, and we ca n
interpret it by referring to the judgments for each hexagram and for th e
moving Yao . But there are other methods of Taoist thought we can ad d
to the divination to give greater understanding and detail .
To begin with, we can study a unique principle of interrelationshi p
called the Five Elements . The Five Elements diagrammed below wer e
described by the Chinese Naturalist School over 2,000 years ago . They
were called the Wu Hsing ( Et ) and were not looked on in their passiv e
roles, but rather in the dynamic processes that each one involved .
Thus water is observed as having properties of soaking an d
descending . Fire heats and moves upward . Wood shapes physical
masses in curved and straight forms . Metal can be put in molds as a
liquid and then hardens . Earth nurtures the sowing and reaping o f
plant life, and provides a ground for all .
The Five Elements may be used to classify active phenomena jus t
as we use the eight trigrams to classify all things in our divination . The y
have also been used to symbolize the active energies in a complex ,
interrelated system . For example, in Chinese medicine, the five elemen t
model describes the interrelations of different organs and parts of th e
body, showing how a weakness or excess in one organ can cause illness
and disruption in an entirely different place . The use of the Fiv e
Elements to describe something as complex as a living person shoul d
remind us always that the diagrams represent an organized bu t
constantly fluctuating system . We can begin to gain a modes t
understanding of such a system by studying the four major principle s
involved as shown in figure 2-3c .
These four processes are summarized by the arrows in the diagram .
In the principle of Mutual Creation ( ), one element serves t o
nurture and sustain the adjoining element in the clockwise circle . We ca n
see how wood nurtures fire, and fire creates new earth with ashes ; ho w
memorize the relations of Mutual Creation, which we call Sheng ( . ).
To complement Mutual Creation, we have the principle of Mutua l
Closeness ( ;Mf] ) . Here we are saying that an elements becomes clos e
to the one that sustains it in much the same way as a child becomes clos e
to its mother .

74 The Tao Of I-Ching
Wate r Water
CREATION CLOSENES S
DESTRUCTION FEARFULNES S
Figure 2-3 c
The principle of Mutual Destruction or Ke ( ) describes how on e
element limits, controls, or completely destroys the process of another .
For this we can imagine how water destroys fire, how wood grows an d
its roots split apart earth, how fire by its heat melts metal, how earth i n
dams halts water from flowing, and how metal axes cut wood . Th e
complement to Mutual Destruction is the principle of Mutual Fearfulnes s
( ) or respect .
When we study real life examples, we must imagine a variety o f
possible meanings for Ke or destruction and for Sheng or creation an d
choose an appropriate one . By considering practical examples and usin g
our imagination, we can slowly develop an understanding .
Ke, for example, can be complete destruction . It can also be milde r
and represent one person who blocks another but does not destroy them .
It can be milder still and represent a person who can inhibit another 's
behaviour, yet in a good way like the mother who applies Ke to he r
child to prevent him from wandering into the public road where he wil l
meet a much worse Ke .
Her motivation is Sheng, love and protectiveness . Yet this actual ac t
is not Sheng . If you think it is, just look at the child, who is crying and
angry at being baulked . He is showing the principle of Fearfulness .
Suppose in divination you find that a specific person has th e
power of Ke over you in part of the situation . What kind of Ke is this?
Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 75
You will not find the answer in the divination, because you already hav e
it in yourself . You know what the person is like, and what they ar e
likely to do when they have power over you, from actual experience .
To apply the Five Elements in this way to our divination we ad d
another principle of relationships, that we call Ti and Yung . T o
understand what Ti and Yung are, we need only consider a few examples .
In general, the bottom, inner trigram, is identified as having th e
quality Ti ( ) and the upper, outer trigram, that of Yung ( ) . We ca n
begin to have an understanding of these terms by considering a fe w
examples .
Consider a framework of steel with a motor, wheels, steering device ,
and other controls — an auto chassis . This is Ti .
We can put various bodies on this chassis ; one body and it become s
an armored tank, another body and it is an ambulance, another and it i s
a racy sports car, another and it is a sedate family station wagon . This i s
the Yung of the auto chassis .
By comparing these two qualities, we notice that the Ti part i s
always relatively simple, and that the Yung can be multiple and complex .
Another example : Ti is what we have at birth or natural, Yung i s
what we have now or man-made . This Yung came from the culture w e
live in and also from our free actions and the habits we built out of
them . We all begin with about the same simple Ti ; we all have a very
different Yung . (See the Tao of Meditation by Jou, Tsung Hwa, 1983 )
Ti obviously makes Yung possible, but Yung affects Ti, as well .
If the auto chassis must hold a tank, we strengthen the frame ; if it mus t
hold a sports car, we use light aircraft metals . One way to look at this i s
to see Ti as the leading role in a .drama, and Yung as all the supportin g
roles . Without a Ti, the Yung loses most of its meaning and focus .
Yet the actions of the Yung determine what directions the Ti goes i n
as it leads the drama and the development of the plot .
Ti and Yung used in another way become very important in divina-
tion, because they may or may not harmonize, as we can see in th e
following examples:
Ti . Yung_ Relationshi p
Water Fish Good
Water Fire Conflic t
Water Drinking Glass Appropriat e
Water Sewage Line Complement s


Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 77

76 The Tao Of I-Ching

We may say in a literal way, " But the water goes in the glass, so wh y consider something outside our personal concern .
Once we have our Ti Kua, we label all the other trigrams as Yun g
isn't the glass Ti?" This is true . But when we consider the situatio n
more thoroughly, we see that water came first, and the glass is part o f Kua as in figure 2-3f .
the Yung that surrounds the water . If we want to study glasses, w e Pen Kua Hu Kua Shih Ku a
can make the glass Ti, and have water, wine, and other substances a s C
its Yung . Ti I
l I I
When we apply Ti and Yung to our six trigram divination, i n
Yung Yun g
1
organizes all the forces into two parts . To do this, we select one of the
I 1 1 1
trigrams of the first Pen Kua or the original hexagram, to be Ti .
When there are no moving Yao, the inner trigram is always Ti . Whe n X-- -1 Yung Yung ~- s Yung
there are an equal number of moving Yao in each trigram, the inne r [
trigram is again Ti shown in figure 2-3d . L J

Figure 2-3 f
Yung x Yun g
Look at the diagram . The Ti of Li is repeated in the Shih Kua oute r
trigram of Li . This will always happen, in a one moving Yao divination .
=El F -1
Look again . We see the four other Yung Li, Kan, Chen, and Li - -
Ti X [ Ti
are not all different .
We use this comparison for a sign of relative strength of the Ti an d
No moving Yao Yung forces . Ti has two friends in the Yung of Li . The Yung of Tui has n o
Figure 2-3 d similar friend . We think of it as having lesser force that the repetitio n
of a trigram builds up an energy .
When one of the trigrams has more moving Yao than the othe r If the 5 Yung trigrams were 2 or more of them Tui, we would sa y
trigram, we select the quietest trigram as shown in figure 2-3e . the Yung is more forceful than the Ti .
This comparison is useful, but we are going to take it much furthe r
I I by adding the Five Elements . To do this we take the eight trigrams an d
Ti x assign each one to one of the elements as shown in figure 2-3g .
3 Ti
Now we have the eight trigrams dynamically interrelated . First of al l
[ 1
C] 1
there are the ones that are paired with the same element — Kun and Ken .
Sun and Chen, Chien and Tui . We think of these as like twins . Each has
)( Yung x its own personality, hut they go together .
1 X Yun g We can see another example with its Ti and Yung and ask th e
X Moving Yao question : Does the Ti have any `friends ' like this? Now about th e
Figure 2-3 e Yung? Here is the answer . you will note we label each trigram by it s
Five Element position as shown in figure 2-3h .
The Ti Kua is the leading force in our divination . It is us, if we ar e
concerned in the divination, or is the major group or person if we


The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 79

78
We immediately see that Ti does have friends, and that metal form s
Chien a group of three elements . Yung does not combine because there are n o
Tu i common elements . So the Ti is stronger than the Yung .
But we have still another principle coming from our Five Element s
Relationships — the Metal Ti destroys the Wood Yung !
This is the relationship of Mutual Destruction, or Ke . We will
Ku n Wate r indicate it by drawing a line -
Ken When we want to indiate the relationship of Mutual Creation o r
Sheng, we will draw the line -
In interpreting these relationships, we consider the following : if th e
Ti Ke or destroy the Yung, this is good . If the Yung Ke the Ti, this i s
poor . This simply means that if the Ti finds some influence detracts fro m
its goal, it can remove or neutralize it . If the TV set in the next room i s
CREATIO N CLOSENES S distracting you from your studies, you can shut the door . You Ke th e
DESTRUCTION FEARFULNESS TV set . But if you have no control, if someone can come into the roo m
where you are studying, and turn on a TV set, this is poor .
In terms of Sheng or creation, if the Yung Sheng the Ti, this is good .
If the Ti Sheng the Yung, this is poor . Thus if you have helpers availabl e
= Wood to assist you in your projects, this is certainly good . Suppose instea d
Chien = Meta l Sun
that, you have obligations to help various other people, and they can cal l
Tui = Metal Kan — Wate r on you and distract you from working on your goals .
Li _ Fire Ken Earth Now we may go hack to the above example once more, and this tim e
Chen = Woo d Kun == Earth we can see these Ke and Sheng lines added in figure 2-3i .
Pen Kua Hu Kua Shik Ku a

Figure 2-3g )( Wood lir e

Eart h
Pen Kua Hu Kua Shih Kua

11=1 Fir e I 1 )(Earth

I I J Metal Mel d

I 1
Metal Metal

I.
Figure 2-3 i

Figure 2-3h Now we have an entire drama! Pen Kua, Hu Kua, Shih Kua, all hav e

80 The Tao Of I-Ching
something going on in relation to the Ti .
Not all divinations invoke this special relationship in the Pen Kua ,
and we can find by simple inspection of the question divinated whethe r
it applies .
Let us assume it applies in the case above, and summarize what ou r
different methods tell us :
1. The Ti is much stronger than the Yung .
2. Pen Kua . Good . The Ti Ke the Yung .
3. Hu Kua, Poor, but not a guaranteed disaster . The Yung Ke th e
Ti, but the Ti is much stronger, so it has a chance to survive .
4. Shih Kua . Good . The Yung of earth supports the Ti of metal .
All's well that ends well .
Now we can see how to relate the Ti Kua to the different Yung Kua .
If the Ti Kua is fire and the Yung Kua is wood, then the Yung Ku a
creates or sustains the Ti Kua . This is like a person who wants t o
organize a project, and who finds others ready to support and carry ou t
its purposes . In this situation, the Ti Kua feels a closeness or affectio n
towards Yung Kua .
If the Yung Kua is fire, however, and the Ti Kua is wood, this show s
things going the wrong way . It is like giving a knife to an evil man, o r
like an employer delegating power to an assistant who uses it to benefi t
himself while he lets the business go to ruin . We note here that the Yun g
Kua is attracted to the Ti Kua . However, it is like a fox attracted to a
farmer ' s chickens .
If the Ti Kua is fire and the Yung Kua is metal, the Ti Kua control s
the Yung Kua . The Yung Kua is like an employee working cooperativel y
because he knows he can be demoted . Or the Yung Kua can be like a
student who is so impressed by the force and energy of his teacher tha t
he respects him highly and pays attention to his teaching .
If these roles are reversed, then the Ti Kua becomes like a man wh o
sets out to ride a horse, and the horse throws him to the ground . We hav e
the influences going in the wrong direction, and whatever the Ti Ku a
is seeking to accomplish the Yung Kua is weakening and working against .
Since in specific cases a varied set of elements and trigrams ar e
involved, we can apply a great deal of specific detail .
In addition, we may have a combination of good and poor factors .
Since they come at different times, we can study how to change wit h
the times . In each case we apply the knowledge to our specific case .
Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 8 1
If we plan to start a business and the divination says "very poor at th e
start, good later on" and we have almost no reserve to start ou : with ,
this means we may fail completely at the start and never get to th e
point of " later on . "
If divination shows a poor situation, the details show us exactl y
what to look out for . If divination shows a very strong situation, w e
know that success will come to us if we are reasonable . Our success ,
however, can be spoiled if our conduct is poor . A person given authorit y
over others may be carelessly rude and unfair to them and create a ne w
situation that turns against him . Likewise, if we are offered a stron g
situation but are too timid to exercise our influence, we will lose it jus t
as surely as if we were overbearing .
But if these things are so, we may ask : "What good is it to have a
favorable divination if we feel unequal to carry it out? " We must reflec t
that if we have weaknesses we also have a potential to correct them . A
good divination indicates a time when we may begin to work on thes e
corrections and make something real of them . If we do this over an d
over again, we will change, and evolve to something better .
We can go hack to our Chien reading to see as another example a s
shown in figure 2-3j .
Ti -- Metal Yung Metal Yung -- Metal
I
r j
J
I- -
L I
Yung Metal Yung - Wood
Yung — Metal
Figure 2-3 j
To begin with, the Ti of metal has four other Yungs like it, giving i t
great strength . In the last trigram . metal controls wood . Thus our overal l
divination is a favourable one . Here is another example as in figure 2-3k .
We see here the end result is that our Ti of metal is controlled by a
Yung of fire . But the Ti has four identical Chiens, making it powerful . Wit h


82 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 83

If we look at the above list at the left of the Yaos we find that th e
Ti — Metal Yung — Metal Yung — Metal first line in the inner trigram is Yang (I) and the first line in the oute r
J f is Yin (4), and that this contrast continues with the second line, Yin an d
r Yang (2 and 5), and the third line, Yang and Yin (3 and 6) . These
I l f f contrasts are like electricity, and when they match in an actual hexagra m
1 thier mutual attraction indicates good energy . The matching is calle d
•Q
U Hsiang Yin ( 41 ). In the example A below as shown in figure 2-3 m
! J i
the second Yao is a Yin Yao and the fifth Yao is a Yang Yao . Both are
Yung – Metal Yung — Meta l Yung — Fire in principle position and match . This is Hsiang Yin . In example B, th e
Hsiang Yin occurs with the third Yao (Yang) matching the sixth Ya o
Figure 2-3 k (Yin) . Both of these Yaos are in the principle position .
the fire antagonistic and the Chiens very strong, we can predict th e
likelihood of a battle, with a outcome that can go either way . It is like A B
being in a group of people where almost everyone approves of yo u
except for one very powerful individual who opposes you . i• I

Using this form of divination with imagination can keep us learnin g — No No Matc h
new things about how to approach our living for a long time . But with Match w r i I I
this form, we are working with the final results of work derived by th e
— [ l J--
developers of the I Ching . At some time we will be prepared t o
No
undertake a study of how the meanings of the hexagrams and the movin g {r 1 No

Yao were derived . This is a complex and arduous study, yet its rules ar e -;r I I I
simple and we should know them .
In divination, we use the principle position of a Yao, or "Cheng Wei" Figure 2-3 m
( iE . ) . To determine the principle position, we first designate the od d
numbers as Yang and the even numbers as Yin . Thus, the 1, 3, or 5 Yao s The Middle Position. The second and fifth Yaos occupy the middl e
prefer Yang, and when these are occupied by a Yang line, this is a positions of the two trigrams . If the line filling them is the principle on e
principle position and means good fortune . When the 1, 3, or 5 Yao i s and if they match, this indicates very good fortune . Matching an d
not occupied by a Yang line, it suggests poor fortune . It is the same wit h nonmatching examples are given in figure 2-3n .
the Yin Yaos, the second, fourth, and sixth Yaos . If one of these Yao s
is occupied by a Yin line, it is a principle position . We can see this i n
figure 2-31 : • Poor • Goo d
6. Yin Yao Yang Poor - To p
r l
5. Yang Yao Yang Good 5th
4. Yin Yao — Yin Good 4th
3. Yang Yao ~. — Yang Good 3r d • Good • Goo d
2. Yin yao ~.~ Yang Poor 2n d
I . Yang Yao ~ . ~. Yin Poor 1st J t

Figure 2-3 L
Figure 2-3 n

84 The Tao Of I-Ching
If we think of the three powers (earth, humanity, and heaven) we se e
immediately why this is so . The second and fifth lines are the lines o f
humanity for the two trigrams, so they are the most important ones fo r
us . Confucius' major work in philosophy was to develop what we call a
`philosophy of the mean', meaning the middle, the place midwa y
between the two extremes of heaven and earth . As you can see, the I
Ching is not a formula that gives simple solutions . We must relate wha t
the trigrams tell us to our own situation . For example, if a trigram ha s
a Yang line in the second Yao and a Yin line in the fifth Yao, we woul d
have a situation where neither Yao is in the principle position, but th e
two Yaos match together . We must think about how this relates to us .
We must decide what is good or bad for us . The situation could b e
compared to the dilemma of a person who has the opportunity to pursu e
two occupations . He could be a musician because he enjoys music ver y
much . This is good . He could also work for a large company and mak e
a lot of money . This is also good . The person must decide what is best fo r
himself or herself . Likewise, when consulting the I Ching, we mus t
interpret what it tells us .
We can understand better why these kinds of comparisons are mad e
by referring to the Treatise of Remarks on the Trigrams, or Shuo Ku a
(I) :
When the ancient sages designed the I, its figures conformed with th e
principles underlying the nature of men and things, and the ordinance s
appointed for them by Heaven . They exhibited the way of Heaven, callin g
the lines Yin and Yang ; the way of earth, the weak (soft) and strong (hard) ;
and the way of men . benevolence and righteousness . Each trigra m
embraced those three powers, and, being repeated, the full form consiste d
of six lines . A distinction was made between the Yin and Yang lines, whic h
were variously occupied by the strong and weak forms . Thus the figur e
of each hexagram was completed .
The six Yaos indicate the six stages necessary for the developmen t
of phenomenon . According to the traditional commentaries on the I Ching ,
The Yao speaks of the changes .
The lines of Yao correspond to the movements taking place on earth .
In the trigrants, these lines are in high and low postions, and we designat e
them from their component elements, Yang or Yin .
The lines are mixed together and elegant forms arise . When such forms
Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 85
are not in their appropriate places, the ideas of good and bad fortune ar e
produced .
We can see by now why the moving Yao is so important . It change s
the principle position and the matching lines . We might have a situatio n
that was difficult, but the earth lines of the two trigrams matched, an d
now the moving Yao destroys the difficult situation .
Or perhaps instead of a complex divination we have taken on e
hexagram, with one trigram to represent us and the other some perso n
we are concerned with . As we study the two trigrams, we may get a
picture of the relationship and its conflicts and strong points . Then w e
add a moving Yao , and see immediately how a change in ou r
circumstances or the other person's circumstances, creates an entirel y
new situation that may be better or poorer . This might be like th e
couple where the husband gets a new job that involves travelling a lot ,
and the marriage begins to disintegrate . Or it could be like a coupl e
that is always quarreling and ready to break up, and then they move t o
a new apartment, and now they are happy and in accord again .
A simple divination requires a much deeper understanding and intui-
tion, and this may suit some of us better than the three part divination .
All of us should study it, for at times it will be easier, at times the othe r
more appropriate . And at times, we may find no clear indication we ca n
understand in a three part divination, and then analyze the lines, and se e
exactly the understanding we are looking for .
The more detail we know about possible paths of divination, th e
more freedom we have to select a method that fits our subject . Persona l
emotions, many kinds of business activity, and countless other things i n
our lives are affected by the seasons, and we can include this factor i n
our divination .
To do this, we only need to refer to the material on the eigh t
trigrams and see how the Hu Tien cycle is applied to the seasons th e
period from March to June, for example is ruled first by Chen and the n
by Sun, so these are the trigrams for spring.
We can use this to evaluate our Ti Kua and Yung Kua as strong o r
poor .
Spring is wood . Wood Ke or destroys earth, which is Ken in th e
winter, and Kun in the early fall . One is already in the past, the othe r
too far in the future to be relevant . If our Ti is wood, and the dominant


The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 87

86

Yung is earth, we see that the meaning of these two trigrams either add s cold, he did not even gather firewood to warm his home . As far as Sha o
was concerned, his normal duties took too much time . He devoted all
to or detracts from the basic divination .
Wood Sheng or creates Li, however, which is fire . This is the mont h his time to his continuing study of the I Ching .
of June, just following . If our Ti is Li, we know this means good thing s He copied all the hexagrams on large cards and placed them on th e
are coming . walls of his home so that they were available for inspection at all times.
We can also test and improve our divination skill by asking th e He made placards with the words to the judgments of each hexagram an d
weather, and taking the Ti to indicate it . placed them on the walls next to the hexagrams .
For example, if the Ti is : But no matter how hard and passionately Shao worked to maste r
the wisdom of life through the I Ching, he made very little progress i n
Chen or = — indicates possible thunder, sudden change ; understanding or achievement .
One day, after working to the point of exhaustion, Shao lay dow n
Sun or indicates wind ;
for a mid-day nap . He was awakened by an unsual sound and saw a larg e
Kan or — indicates rain, wet weather ; and moth fluttering around the cards he had placed on the walls . Angrily ,
Li or — indicates sunny weather, etc . he hurled his pillow at the moth .
However, people at that time used to sleep on pillows made of chin a
If we consult the I Ching about the weather and get a 44th hexagra m because they were cool in hot weather . Shao had forgotten this, and hi s
Gou or meeting, Ti Kau is , or thunde r pillow crashed against the wall . Shao looked at the broken pieces and ,
to his surprise, found a slip of paper with writing on it that had evidentl y
meta l been hidden inside the pillow . He read the writing on the slip : "In
Ti Ke the year 1050 on April 10 in the afternoon this pillow will be destroye d
woo d by its being thrown at a moth . "
Shao looked at the time . It was the exact date and time writte n
Because Chien, or metal Ke or destroy the Chen or wood, we suspec t on the slip of paper which had been hidden in the pillow for years . He
there will be no thunder . became very excited and thought to himself, maybe everything has a
date! A man is born on a certain date and dies on a certain date, and thi s
Plum Flower Min d
2-4 The
MI MI
is the cycle of his life . A person begins a job on a certain date an d
I Ching 1•11I 111•
retires on a certain date, and this is the cycle of his career . A building
During the Sung Dynasty ( 960-1279) there lived a governmen t is constructed at a certain time in history and at some time in the futur e
official named Shao, Kang Chieh (Mf gi 1011-1077) who began t o is destroyed . It too has a cycle of existence . And even this pillow ha d
a life cycle . It was made on a certain date and just now, on this date ,
study the 1 Ching . So interested did he become in this subject, that h e
resented his bureaucratic duties because they prevented him fro m it was destroyed .
spending all of his time studying the I Ching . Shao quickly realized that this life cycle formula could be applie d
to every aspect of reality . Every person and thing had a definit e
Determined not to be frustrated, Shao finally succeded in obtainin g
an early retirement from his career on the grounds of poor health, eve n date of beginning and a definite date of ending . And, Shao reasoned, i f
though his health was excellent . He could now devote all of his time t o he could learn a method to discover this formula, he could predict th e
his studies . life cycle of anything in the world, as well as all the events of an y
His study of the I Ching became so intense that he did not pa y person's life.
attention to his household responsibilities . When the weather turned The whole experience seemed like a dream to Shao, but the pape r

The Tao Of I-Ching
88
and its message was real . He decided to visit the store where the pillo w
was purchased, and brought the broken pieces with him. The storekeepe r
sent him to the wholesaler of pillows, who sent him to the china make r
who made the pillow .
At first, the china maker was of no help . He explained that none o f
his workers could have put the note inside the pillow because none o f
them could write . At that time in China, only the higher classes wer e
literate . Then the china maker recalled, "There was an old man who wa s
retired and used to come and watch us work . He is very educated an d
even knows the I Ching . Everyone knows of him . Maybe he put th e
paper in the pillow ."
Feeling he was close to solving the mystery, Shao hurried to the ol d
man's home . He knocked on the door and was greeted by a young man .
When Shao gave the name of the old man, the young man replied ,
"That's my grandfather. He died several years ago . "
Shao's hopes were dashed to pieces . However, the young ma n
continued to speak and Shao's hopes were revived . "Before m y
grandfather died, he gave me a book and told me that on a certain day ,
month, and year, at a certain time, a person will come to visit, and I
should give him that book . It is now that exact time . I am astonished .
Wait, and I will get the book for you . "
Before his death, the old man had spent many years researching an d
studying the I Ching . The results of his long study were written in th e
book . He wanted to pass along this information to someone who wa s
prepared to receive it, and who was devoted to further study . Shao wa s
that person .
Shao took his treasure home and resumed his studies, day and night .
He had found the master-key to understanding, and gradually hi s
spiritual enlightenment grew and became complete .
The book contained a method for divination that was more accurat e
than the traditional yarrow stalks . The new method translated the year ,
month, day, and time of an event into numbers and then used th e
numbers to indicate the hexagrams . This new method gave Shao ne w
insight into the concepts of space and time .
The results Shao received using this method were perfectly accurate .
In his first judgment, he received the message : there is some gold hidde n
in the old man's house . Shao went there, and with the grandson, dug ou t
the ground beneath the old man's bed . There they found the gold .
Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 89
The book Shao received from the young man is called MEI HU A
SIN I or The PLUM FLOWER MIND I CHING (&fiE,b ) . It is th e
source of my book . In studying and using these new methods of divina-
tion, we will not just read the written words of the judgments an d
images. We will study the figures of the trigrams and learn to understan d
then more directly .
The old man left two methods of divination to Shao, Kang Chieh .
He used both methods to reach a mastery of the I Ching . One of th e
methods is called Hsien Tien (5c ), and the other Hu Tien ( &* ),
after the two arrangements of the trigrams in cycles . Tien means
Heaven, and the word Hsien refers to our heritage from the past as i t
affects our present and future . Our genetic make-up and the health an d
habits of our mother as she carried us before birth, are Hsien Tien .
Divination by the Hsien Tien method is very simple . We get th e
outer trigram by adding together the year, month, and day of the month ,
then dividing this number by eight . The remainder will be from one t o
seven, and if we have no remainder, we count this as eight .
We then use the Hsien Tien numeration of the cycle to assign a
trigram: 1 — Chien ; 2 Tui ; 3 — Li ; 4 — Chen ; 5 — Sun ; 6 -- Kan ; 7 —
Ken ; 8 — Kun .
To find the inner trigrarn, we add the number of the year, month ,
day, and the hour . Again we divide by 8 and take the remainder t o
select the trigram .. We number the hours of the day from one to twenty -
four for the number of the hour . Thus 10 a .m . is ten ; 3 p .m . is 15 ; and
so on . If our clock shows an hour between two hours, such as 10 :30 ,
we say this time " covers " the 10 o 'clock and count it as 10 .
To find the moving Yao, we again use the year, month, day an d
hour, and this time divide by six . We get a remainder from one to five ,
or use six if there is no remainder .
But we must assign a number to our year before we can do this .
In the traditional Chinese calendar, the years were ordered and name d
by combining two cycles of time periods called the Ten Celestial Stem s
or Tien Kan ( . ql ), and the Twelve Terrestrial Branches or Ti Chi h
( ) . A complex method of derivation was used that is nowaday s
relatively unknown even to the Chinese . We can think of it in this way :
the list of stems was placed with the list of branches to get a set o f
combinations . Doing this left a remainder of the last two branches, an d
these were used to start another cycle in the list . When the listing was


The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 91

90

completed, the combinations numbered 60, and the years were name d As shown in figure 2-4 a
according to which combination they represented .
In using the spirit of this method in our present-day divinations, w e
will divide the Western numeration of the year by the number 12 . Thu s
1,982 divided by twelve gives 165 with a remainder of two . We giv e
1982 the number 2 . We derive any years similarly . We always get a
remainder of from I to 11, and if there is no remainder we call this 12 .
For our month, we count it as the number it follows in the cycl e 2
of the year . For example, October is 10 . And for our day, we simpl y
take th ., number of the day of the month .
In divination, we use the time we make the divination . But wit h
carefr.l thought we may use a time that marks the beginning of a subject . Figure 2-4 a
We might use the date of our birth, and derive a hexagram tha t
charactarizes our life as a whole . We might take the time we signed th e Now we come to a new and important use of the concepts Ti an d
papers for our new house to divine the future surrounding it . Yung . We say that the trigram that has the moving Yao is the Yung fo r
For a specific example of the Hsien Tien method we will consider a the divination, and the other is the Ti . We regard the Ti trigram as bein g
date, say April 19th, 1982, at 10 :20 a .m . : the fundamental one, just as earlier we likened it to the leading role i n
a play .
The Year 198 2 An example . Suppose we interpret the inner trigram as ourselve s
The Month April and the outer trigram as the world, other people . And we find th e
The 19th Day ---1 9 moving Yao is line 4, 5, or 6 . Then we find the fundamental change ha s
occurred in others ' attitudes, which changes the whole situation fo r
Total 25
ourselves as Ti . We now respond to the new situation in a different way .
Divided by 8 = 3 with remainder 1 Our basic trigram is unchanged, but it has variable aspects, and we selec t
1 equals = Chien, the outer trigra m an aspect that harmonizes with the new Ti . If there is none, we are
reserved and cautious .
The Year 1982 - -2 When we use the Hu Tien divination, we deal with events in th e
The Month April - - - -4 present . Using the analogy of our health, we are considering the part o f
The 19th Day ---1 9 our health that derives from our everyday habits and the way we ar e
The 10th Hour - - -1 0 presently caring for ourselves .
Total 35 With the Hu Tien method we must select a subject in the field o f
life around us to divine with . We do not take any object for divination ,
Divided .by 8 = 4 with remainder 3
but something that is unusual, out of the ordinary . Our guide in this ca n
3 equals _ Li, the inner trigra m
be sight itself — in a field of unmoving objects, our eyes will instantl y
spot something that moves . In a view that shows everything moving in a
The Year, Month, Day, Hour is 35
uniform manner, it will pick out the one object that moves irregularly .
Divided by 6 is 5 with remainder 5 Our other senses work the same way .
The moving Yao is the fifth line . Thus if we see a highway with streams of cars moving along it, ther e

92 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 93

is nothing to divinate with . If we then hear a sudden screech of brakes , that number . We divide its sum by 6 to get the moving Yao from the
there it is . The event may involve a physical object, but it can just a s remainder, as before .
well involve human interaction . Perhaps we are walking along passin g Thus the moving Yao is second Yao because of the following :
people on the sidewalk and suddenly we happen to glance at an old ma n The number of Chien is 1, the number of Li is 3 .
walking by amd we feel some inexplicably intense impression . Whateve r The number of hour is 10 .
the event is, we observe it quietly and attentively, like a cat watching a Total is I + 3 + 10 = 1 4
bird . It is the subject of our attention and we derive the outer trigra m Divided by 6 = 2 with a remainder 2 .
directly from it . as shown in figure 2-4c .
We do this by using what we know about relating the trigram s Front
to anything . We must reflect on what we observed and sense its basi c
quality . Then we choose the trigram that represents that quality .
We can learn to do this by studying the eight trigrams as well as thei r
symbols, virtues, and specific examples . Some of the example s
are traditional and their connection to the symbols and virtues canno t
be grasped without knowing more of the tradition . But most of the m
can be puzzled out with reflection and imagination . For example, we ca n Left
see with some thought how the telephone with its loud ringing call, an d
its potential for sending us on immediate errands can be Chen, thunder ,
a stimulus to movement . Whereas if the postman brings us mail, this i s
something that penetrates to our attention, but more gently and it ca n
be Sun like wind . Every time we work out one of these connections, w e
will be adding to our ability to characterize things . This will make th e
Back
Hu Tien method of divination possible, and just as important, we will b e
learning to observe any specific event and see the basic general qualit y Figure 2-4b .
that underlies it . Such valuable knowledge in turn will give us guides t o Pen Kua Shih Ku a

our behavior. This kind of work becomes a schooling of the most valuabl e
sort, where we are both student and teacher . Or looking at it anothe r
way, nature and life become our teacher .
To use a specific example, the old man will represent Chien, fo r
this is a traditional trigram for an older man .
To select the inner trigram, we use the direction the subject o f x .X
our attention is in . We use the Hu Tien arrangement, with Li, south ,
representing our front, Kan, north, representing our back ; Chen, east ,
our left ; Tui, west, our right, etc . as shown in figure 2-4b. Figure 2-4 c
If the old man was approaching us along the sidewalk, we have th e
inner trigram of Li . This kind of divination can be applied in many different ways to
Finally, we add the number of each of the trigrams, according to it s many situations . Its only limitation is the amount of self-training w e
place in the Hsien Tien arrangement, and add the hour of the day to have given ourselves and the seriousness with which we divinate . As we


94 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 95

work and make some progress with this, we can begin to see tha t
divination is not for passive people who want "easy answers " so they Hsien Tie n
don't have to work hard, and hope for a "good divination " so they ca n
have something to day-dream about and then forget . It is for peopl e
who are living actively and who want to cultivate a good orientatio n i 2 3

towards the life around them, so that their living can be more effective . 0 0
t 0 0
The Hu Tien Method : Shao' s t i J I 1
— 2_5 marvelous Pillow NE =
Chien Tui Li Chen
ti

Now we will study a few interesting examples of the Hu Tien metho d s 7 8

of divination . As you recall, in this method, an unusual action or even t I 1 0 0
determines the outer trigram, and the direction of the action in relatio n t 0 0 ot~
to the front of the observing diviner determines the inner trigra m c=1 0 0 0 0
Sun Ka n
as shown in figure 2-5a . Finally, we determine the moving Yao b y Kan Ke n

adding the number of each of the trigrams, according to its place in th e

Hsien Tien arrangement, as shown in figure 2-5b, and adding th e Figure 2-5 b
hour of the day to that number . This sum divided by six gives us th e
moving Yao . Example One : The old man will die !
Mr . Shao arose early one morning to take a walk along the lake .
During his walk, he glanced at an old man just passing him from th e
O c other direction and had an odd impression that he could not name, bu t
that was very intense . Shao stopped the old person and asked him ,
f
"Has anything happened to you? Are you all right? "
"I've just been walking . Why do you ask?" the old man replied ,
puzzled .
Shao went home puzzled, too, and consulted the I Ching . For the
outer trigram he selected Chien, one of its images being an old man .
Then he recalled where the old man was when he noticed him — he wa s
in front of Shao and to the left . The position is represented by th e
trigram for Sun . The hexagram reads :
t t
Pen Kua
I t 44th Hexagram Gou,
O 0 symbol of meeting
t
0 0

Figure 2-5a


Chapter i wo The Miracle Of Divination 97

96 The Tao Of I-Ching

This is the Pen Kua, or original hexagram and Shao next derived th e
Hu Kua by taking the second, third and fourth lines for the inne r
trigram, and the third, fourth and fifth lines for the outer :
Hu Kua
1st Hexagram, Chien ,
sky or heaven
We inspect further . The time in the Kwa Tsi for Gou is autumn .
The upper trigram is Chien, or sky, and the lower, Sun, wind . We thin k
of images of a cold autumn wind blowing dead leaves away . We look up
the judgment for the moving Yao, the fourth . It is very poor : "There
are no fish in the bag . Disaster comes ."
The 4th Yao is in the outer trigram, so this is the first Yung Kua .
The inner trigram is the Ti Kua . Using the Five Elements, we get the
following :
Pen Kua Hu Kua Shih Ku a
Meta l

Ke

The meeting occurred on an early summer morning, not quite 5

Wood
o'clock. So the number of the hour is 4 . Reading from the Hsien Tie n Metal
list, the number of Sun is 5 and the number of Chien is 1 . Adding thes e n
Ke
three numbers we have 10 . Dividing by 6, we have 1 with a remainde r I
of 4. The moving Yao is the fourth Yao and we use it to derive th e WWI
x
Shih Kua from the Pen Kua: i Metal
I. 1
Ke
Shih Kua
WWI
J 57th Hexagram, Sŭn , Wood
0 0
or wind Woo d

0 0
Now we consult the readings to carefully work on a judgment .
Gou has one Yin Yao below and five Yang Yao above . In studying th e
image of the lines directly, we think of the bottom growing upward ,
and here this gives an image of Yin growing .
Going further, we think, five Yang lines can be represented by fiv e
men and one Yin line by one woman, We read in the Kwa Tsi, "Th e
woman is too bold. Do not take her home with you ." It is easy to se e
how this relates to a crime or trouble between the sexes . But there is
nothing of this judgment suggested in the case of the old man . When w e
have a judgment like this that does not apply, we drop it completely .
Ti Kua
Metal destroys or Ke wood, according to the dynamic principles o f
the Five Elements . The situation in the Pen Kua, or original hexagra m
is poor . We go further and look at the Hu Kua, and here both Chien ar e
metal, which intensifies the image even more . Finally we look at the Shih
Kua, and both of the trigrams have the symbol of Sun, and the elemen t
wood. This corresponds to the Ti Kua in the Pen Kua . This is good, but
it is too late .
We see nothing but the repeated strong image of metal destroying
wood, Yung Kua destroying Ti Kua . There is nothing close within the
trigrams to help . It is like the proverb, "water from afar cannot quenc h
a nearby fire ." There is nothing that can be done to evade the ba d
situation .
We ask, "When will the disaster happen? " The rule is to add the
numbers of the inner and outer trigrams and the number of the hour —

T
98 The Tao Of I-Chin g
5 plus 1 plus 4 — which equals 10 . When the subjective diviner is sitting,
we say the disaster comes slower and multiply by 2 to get the time .
When the diviner is standing still, we take the sum directly . When th e
diviner is walking, we say it will come faster, and we divide the sum by 2 .
So we divide 10 by 2 and get 5 .
Inner + Outer + Hour = Tim e
5 + 1 + 4 = 10
Diviner walkin g
10 : 2 = 5
Let's return to the story . Mr . Shao determined that within five day s
the old man will have a disaster . So he visited the old man and warne d
him that he needed to be very careful in caring for himself the next fiv e
days . The old man accepted his advice, but thought, "I am pretty carefu l
in the way I live," so he did nothing special .
On the fifth day, the old man went to a marriage party he wa s
invited to . There was a big banquet, and as he sat eating fish a bon e
caught in his throat . This was before advanced medical knowledge .
There was no doctor, and he died .
It seems mysterious that the old man should die, and it should b e
so accurately predicted . When we do not understand a whole situation ,
what happens is always mysterious . It is like a man who has clogge d
arteries and exerts himself too much one day ; his heart fails and he dies .
The problem was already there, and the event is not surprising . Yet if w e
know nothing about it, it seems to be a mystery . And it is just as muc h
a mystery if a man lives to be very, very old .
Example Two . It is a beautiful morning . About 7:40 a .m., Shao i s
exercising under a tree . Suddenly he hears a cow mooing behind him ,
and it makes a hoarse sound, different from the sound cows usually
make . Shao finishes his exercises, and when he goes home, he does a
divination on the cow . The image of a cow is Kun, the outer trigram .
The sound came from behind Shao, and this is Kan, the inner trigram .
Kun is 8 and Kan is 6 and the hour is 7 . This gives 21 and when it i s
divided by 6, the remainder is 3, so the moving Yao is 3 . Thus we have :
Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 99
Pen Kua Hu Kua Shih Ku a
Earth Earth
Earth
F
Ke I
WEI
Ti Kua
1 N K e 1x
1
1
Wate r Wood I Woo d
L J
The Pen Kua is the seventh Hexagram, called Shi ( i) or army . W e
read the Yao Tsi for the third Yao, and it says, " To maintain an arm y
without authorization is disaster ." The cow is not much like an army ,
so we know only that the moving Yao is bad . Then we examine th e
Yung Kua and the Ti Kua for the first hexagram . Just as the hexagram
begins with a lower trigram that is " inner" , so can we take this beginning
Pen Kua as telling us about the "inner" situation for the cow . The co w
has troubles . Its Ti Kua of earth destroys its Yung Kua of water .
However, in the process of destroying the water, the earth is weakened .
This is a case of the Ti Kua being weakened "indirectly " though no t
"directly" . It can be compared to a parent who does not spend a sum o f
money directly, but spends it by giving it to a son . The parent still has
less money in either case . In one the spending is direct ; in the other ,
indirect . Thus, the cow's Ti Kua is weakened "indirectly" .
We go on to inspect the Hu Kua and see wood under earth . Here the
Wood is another Yung Kua and it destroys the Ti Kua of Earth directly .
We look at the Shih Kua and we have Wood under Earth again! The co w
is beset with troubles from within and without . Shao adds up the outer
trigram number, the inner number, and the number of the hour and get s
21 . Shao was standing at the time he heard the cow, and he makes th e
unhappy conclusion the cow will be killed within 21 days . Later he goe s
to the farm to find out about the cow. He discovers that after 20 days ,
someone bought the cow and killed it for beef .
Exercise One . How does Shao know the young man will be marrie d
within 17 days?

100 - The Tao Of I-Ching
About 7 :30 one morning Shao is standing on the corner of a street .
He sees a young man crossing the street and coming towards him . The
young man has an expression of great happiness on his face, though ther e
does not seem to be any reason . Shao asks him, "Why do you feel s o
happy?" The young man replies, "I don't know . I guess I wa s
daydreaming ." Shao goes home and does a divination for this youn g
man. He finds out he will be married within 17 days . Dear reader, can
you trace this judgment ?
Hint. The image of a young man is Ken, and he approaches Sha o
from the front . This is Li . The answer is at the end of this chapter, o n
page 88 and 89 .
Exercise Two . How does Shao know that the rooster will be killed in
10 days?
It is around 4 :30 a .m. Shao is sleeping on his bed when he i s
awakened by the crowing of a neighbor's rooster . The sound come s
from behind him and to the right as he lays in bed . Usually the rooste r
never crows at night . Shao does a divination when he arises, an d
concludes the rooster will be cooked in 10 days . How does he kno w
this?
Hint : The image of the chicken is Sun . The direction gives the inne r
trigram Chien. The answer is at the end of this Chapter, on page 89 and 90 .
In working on the exercises, there are simple principles for th e
student to keep in mind. Divination failure and success can be compare d
to a superstitious person and a calm person who both hear a strang e
sound on the other side of a hill . The superstitious person does no t
listen to the sound calmly and try to notice things about it . H e
immediately jumps to conclusions : "Oh, it is good!" or "Oh, it is bad! "
Since he does not pay attention to the sound, his judgment is based o n
whatever unrelated feeling he had just before he heard the sound . Onc e
the superstitious person has made such a snap judgment, he the n
misinterprets and distorts every new sign to fit his preconceived decision .
The result is that the person often interprets danger as good news an d
is harmed, or interprets good news as danger, and runs away from it .
The calm person has inner feelings and hopes, too, but instead pays
attention to the sound . He listens to it and tries to discover new thing s
about it . First he hears the sound . Then he notices that the sound is
coming closer . It sounds like an animal of some kind. But animals
rarely run about and make noises, because it attracts danger to them . So
Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 10 1
he becomes wary . As he listens more, he notices that the sound is
rapidly moving closer . Finally he sees something break through th e
bushes and immediately sees that it is a wounded, ferocious wild bear .
He climbs a tree long before it comes close .
Divination is like this . Even if we are very clever and know all th e
signs, it is worthless if we do not know how to be calm and observe
quietly . We just confuse ourselves . But if we are calm and attentive, w e
may find our way correctly even if we are not very clever . And because
we are calm and look over our work afterwards to correct ourselves an d
learn more, we increase our knowledge each time we divinate .
In divination, we ask for knowledge from the 4th dimensional world ,
and we do it within the limits in which we live . This is like extendin g
our intuition, which also comes to us from the 4th dimension .
We learn divination the same way we learn any skill . Did we learn
how to drive a car in one day? Did we learn to read and write in on e
day? No . Each day we learned a little, and gradually added to it .
In learning divination, we study our own life and past and examin e
ourselves . This gradually teaches us to observe more accurately how w e
feel and act . Eventually we add to this and learn to correct things w e
don't like . The more we understand about ourselves, the easier it i s
to be calm and alert, and to extend our knowledge to other situations .
Eventually we come to have a solid basis from this work to study an d
learn more about other aspects of life . Suppose we are angry . We
study ourselves and learn that often when we get angry we do somethin g
rash and get into trouble . So we learn : anger can quickly bring danger .
Then we notice that when another person gets very angry, they do no t
behave as reckless as we did, but become sullen and negative, and remai n
that way all day . Thus we learn : anger can spoil things very slowl y
and indirectly . Another time we notice a person who gets very angry ,
but doesn't do anything special . A day or week later we see the person ,
and find he has found an opportunity and is energetically doin g
something to correct the situation that ;nade him angry . Thus we learn :
anger can create something good .
When we learn directly this way, by being our own teacher, th e
learning is much more intense and valuable . This is why the I Ching ha s
the simplest possible structure . It enhances our learning instead o f
getting in the way of it .
Within this structure of simplicity, there a re various ways of

The Tao Of I-Ching
1 02
divination we can follow . Another way may be more appealing o r
useful to us . We may also want to advance our knowledge further .
Whatever our ultimate goal, we learn the basics first and study the m
over and over till we master them .
Answer to Exercise One . The young man will marry in 17 days .
The young man represents Ken, the youngest brother, and is th e
outer trigram . He faces Shao as Shao waits standing at the intersection .
Facing is Li, the inner trigram . Using the Hsien Tien numeration, Ken i s
7 and Li is 3, and the time is 7, totalling 17 . Divided by 6, the remainde r
is 5, the Moving Yao . This gives —
Wood Woo d
Earth
EMI
s •
=NI
IIM■
1 1
s Ke
WEI
I♦
1 I K Fir e
Fire Water
22 Pen 40 Jie 37 Jiare n
The first hexagram is Pen or Grace, and part of the judgment is "onl y
small things further ." In it we see fire feeding or Sheng the earth o f
Ken, which is stopping . This suggests the young man giving hi s
enthusiasm to something, and not getting a response . Since he is th e
"youngest brother" just at the age of starting out in life and bein g
attracted to women, we think maybe he has a girlfriend .
The Yao Tsi for line 5 speaks of a person who rejects empty luxur y
for simplicity . The person finds a good friend who accepts their ver y
meagre gifts of friendship and reciprocates . This suggests the youn g
man's suit to the girl is finally accepted in the best way . The Hu Ku a
of Jie revolves around "lessening of tensions," just like the cloudburs t
that brings rain lessens the electrical charges in the air and is relaxing .
In the Hu Kua we have wood supporting fire and water putting i t
out, two diverging indications . Since the moving Yao is good, we ma y
assume the young lady ' s acceptance of her suitor relieves all the tensio n
of his courting her, just as water puts out fire . The final hexagram Jii i
ren stands for the family, and is a clear indication of marriage . Here we
Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 10 3
find the water is gone, but the wood remains, supporting the fire of th e
young man's Ti Kua, which suggests the marriage is a good one . Sinc e
Shao is standing when he sees the young man, the number 17 remains ,
and he decides the marriage will occur in about 17 days .
Answer to Exercise Two . The rooster is Sun, the outer trigram .
The direction of his crowing is behind Shao to the right, which is Chien .
Sun is 5 and Chien is 1 and the hour is 4 . The sum is 10 . Divided by 6 ,
it gives a remainder of 4, the Moving Yao . The result is —
Wood Fire Metal
f4
.1
Wood Meta l
Metal
9 Xiaox ŭ 38 Ka i 1 Gian
In the Pen Kua, the hexagram is Xiaoxii, which translates a s
"taming power of the small ." The Ti Kua of the rooster is metal, whic h
is Ke wood . The Pen Kua can be interpreted as the inner environment o f
the rooster, so it is destroying something that helps it and suffers loss .
The moving Yao of 4 speaks about a person in a dangerous situatio n
who restrains a powerful person because they are "in the right ." But th e
rooster is weak in his situation, suggesting he may fail . The Hu Ku a
is complicated with its wood being destroyed by metal, and its fir e
destroying metal . One might say "the metal destroys the wood so i t
cannot feed the fire, so the fire is not strong enough to melt the metal . "
But the first indication in the Pen Kua is contrary to this idea, and w e
accept that one and reject this .
n
Further, the general meaning of the Hu Kua of Kui ' is "oppositio
and conflicts " , and this reinforces the notion that the rooster is havin g
trouble . What is the rooster's trouble? It doesn't lay eggs, there ar e
always more of them than are needed for breeding, so roosters mak e
good eating . We think possibly the farmer will kill the rooster for food .
In the final trigram of Gia 'n there is metal over metal . This suggest s


104 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 10 5

that whatever the fate of the original metal, it is underlined many time s The number of September is 9 .
as being what will happen . The rooster was in trouble with a powerfu l The number of the day is 17 .
opposition, and we conclude it was killed and eaten . The original su m The number of 9 :30 a .m. is 9 .
is 10, and Shao is laying down, so we estimate the fate comes slowly , The outer trigram is (8 + 9 + 17) - 8 = 4 with a remainder of 2 .
and multiply by 2 to get 20 days .
Two is Tui
The Hsien Tien Method :Entering - -
2-6 the Fourth Dimension -- For the inner trigram, we hav e
The Hsien Tien method refers to the roots of a situation, whic h (9+9+ 17+9)-8 = 5 with a remainder of 3 .
determine its present and future . To review, we derive a number for th e
year by dividing the year by twelve and taking the remainder, or th e Three is L i
number 12 if there is no remainder. To this number we add the numbe r
of the month, and then the day of the month . We divide the sum b y The moving Yao is (8 + 9 + 17 + 9) - 6 = 7 Remainder 1 .
eight and its remainder gives us the outer trigram, if there is n o Line one is the moving Yao .
remainder, the trigram is 8 .
To find the inner trigram, we determine the year using the abov e The Pen Kua or original hexagram, is the 49th, Ge ( ),
formula . We then add to it the month, day, and the hour . We coun t
the hours of the day from one to twenty-four, and if the time is not a Metal — Ti Kua
whole hour, we drop the minutes . For example, 11 :47 would b e
counted as 11 . We then divide our sum by eight to get our inner trigram . Fire — Yung Ku a
When we get our numbers, we take our trigrams from the Hsien Tie n
numeration: 1 — Chien, 2 — Tui, 3 — Li, 4 — Chen, 5 — Sun, 6 — Kan , We see how the Yung Kua is Li, fire, and the Ti Kua is Tui, metal .
7 — Ken, 8 — Kun . The moving Yao is the inner trigram sum divided b y Fire destroys or "Ke" metal, which suggests a problem . We derive the
six instead of eight, giving remainders from one to five . We use th e Hu Kua and Shih Kua by the methods described in page 57 and 53 .
number six for no remainder .
Example One . The wind is whistling, the leaves are flying all about , Pen Kua Hu Kua Shih Ku a
and Shao is out taking a brisk autumn walk in the suburbs of his city . r•
It's around 9 :30 in the morning on the 17th of September . As he look s Metal Ti Metal Metal
at the changing colors of the plants and trees and idly thinks of winte r
and his warm home, he suddenly notices two sparrows staging a I
ferocious mid-air battle for seemingly no reason at all . They finall y
break apart and fall to the ground exhausted, neither a winner . Th e Fire Yung Wood Earth
unusual incident attracts Shao's interest, and he decides to divinate .
Shao lives during the Sung Dynasty, and it is the year Wang Yu 4 . (f .= J
ft Di . ). This is the year 1,052 in our numeration . 49 Ge 44Gou 31 Xian
The number for 1,052 is 8 (1,052 divided by 12 is 87 with a
remainder of 8) . Now we see the situation intensified because the inner trigram o f
Hu Kua is Sun, wood . We imagine this Yung Kua as feeding the Yun g

1 06 The Tao Of I-Ching
Kua in the original hexagram of fire . Wood Shen or feeds fire, making
it more intense . But who or what represents the Ti Kua? Sha o
deliberates and decides it is a young woman, one of the images of Tui ,
which is the trigram of the youngest daughter . He concludes she will b e
hurt .
In the Hu Kua, the inner trigram is Sun or wood, while its oute r
trigram is Chien, metal . Metal destroys Wood, and we know the par t
of the body of Sun is the thigh, so the young woman will be wounde d
in the thigh .
We go on to the Shih Kua to learn the final story . Here the inne r
trigram is Ken, earth, and earth creates or sustains the Metal in Tui,
the original Ti Kua . This is a good sign, so Shao decides that the youn g
woman's wound will not be serious .
The next day in the yard next door to Shao's home, a young woma n
sneaks into the garden and climbs a pear tree to steal some fruit . Th e
gardener sees her and comes running out of his house shouting . Th e
young girl panics and falls out of the tree . As she falls, a broken branch
lacerates her thigh, but she is otherwise unhurt . The time is about 2
in the afternoon .
When Shao divinated, he determined this hour as well . First, h e
added the number of the outer trigram, that of the inner trigram, and th e
hour of the original event . This is (2 + 3 + 9) . He was sitting when h e
divinated . This means the time comes slower, so he multiplied the su m
of 14 by 2, giving 28 . He determined that the event would come in 28
hours, rather than days or months or years . Adding 28 hours to 9:3 0
a .m., we get 1 :30 p .m . the following day, the approximate time of th e
mishap .
Exercise Problem : Do you want to divinate the fortune of you r
own life ?
Hint : Use the numbers of your birth hour, day, month and year t o
derive your Pen Kua, moving Yao, and the following Hu Kua and Shil l
Kua . The Pen Kua is the image of your life as a whole, so study the Ku a
Tsi in the I Ching carefully . The Yao Tsi of the moving Yao gives th e
present status of your living . A strong Ti Kua in good relation to th e
Yung Kuas means good fortune, success in your career . Poor indication s
tell you how to look for your weaknesses and moderate them . In a
famous divining book called Pu Shih Yuan Kuei ( ), th e
following characterizations of personality are given for the inner trigram
Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 10 7
of the Pen Kua :
Chien or Kun — a warm-hearted, benevolent person .
Sun — a cool, heartless person .
Kan — a clever person with sweet, honeyed words .
a lying, deceitful person .
Chen — a person born at the wrong time, unlucky .
Ken — a person who is always very fair, who doesn't le t
personal feelings sway objective decisions .
Li — a clever, open-minded person, optimistic and good .
Tui — a person with a smiling face, gentle and affable, who ha s
good judgment for propriety and moderation i n
speech and behavior.
If we find ourselves with a poor designation, we need not b e
dismayed, but instead may ask ourselves what we know of our characte r
and what the truth of it is . Perhaps we have Kan for an inner trigram ,
and we look and find we are always making "promises" and often no t
keeping them, that we "talk a good show" but don't act so well . Then
we know what is meant by Kan . We must realize that this is no t
necessarily how we will always behave, and there is nothing we can d o
about it . It simply indicates that this is the kind of weakness we wil l
show when we are weak and careless . In addition, we may learn to fin d
positive aspect of these qualities . For example, we may take a strong Ka n
character, and use it to become a highly successful "story teller " and
writer of fiction . Our ability to use "honeyed words" may someda y
lead to our talking to someone who wants to commit suicide an d
convincing him that life has something good to offer, and that he shoul d
try to improve his life rather than throw it away .
The same is true if we divinate our fate and find it is a terrible on e
that gets worse with time! This fate cannot become reality if a person i s
willing to work and learn . If the reading shows weaknesses, we ca n
exercise our will and spirit to avail ourselves of a corresponding source o f
energy that "fate" also provides in our situation .
Likewise, if we receive a favorable divination, we must be on ou r
guard . Remember : " A fool and his money are soon parted ." If we use
the favorable indications as an excuse to be lazy and careless, we can lose
our good fortune and have a miserable life . Meanwhile, the person with

1 08 The Tao Of I-Ching
"bad luck" who learns to equalize his situation, can have a very happ y
life .
Example Two . The Peonies are trampled by two horses .
It is May 3, 1053 . A friend invites Shao to a small luncheon t o
enjoy the beauty of his peonies . The flowers are famous among th e
Chinese and have the honorary name of "king of the flowers ". Shao' s
friend has a large house by the canal, and he keeps his backyard plante d
with flowers . The beautiful show they create each year draws admirin g
visitors from all over the city . As Shao enters his friend's property h e
sees the soft light green of leaves opening, hears the birds twitterin g
happily, smells the cold rising from the dank ground mingling with th e
warm spring breeze . He enters the garden with the peonies in full colo r
and feels he is in an enchanted world . After the small group has lunc h
they sit and enjoy the weather . They all know Shao specializes i n
studying the I Ching, and listen alertly when Shao's host says, "Th e
flowers are so beautiful and have such a powerful influence on th e
enjoyment of our culture, it almost seems equal to many huma n
influences . Do these flowers have a fate, Shao, and can a person like yo u
discover what their fortunes are to be? "
"Everything in the world has its own life cycle and fortune," Sha o
replies, "I'll check on it for you ." The time is about one o'clock in the
afternoon . Shao studies briefly and then tells his friends "It seems sad t o
say this, but the flowers will probably be destroyed by horses tomorro w
afternoon ." The group of friends is at once sceptical and dismayed, an d
they part wishing that they had not asked about the flowers .
The next day, at noon, a small group of city officials ride over t o
Shao's friend's home to look at the famous flowers . Two of the me n
have army horses just being trained to civil use . One horse nips the othe r
and they start a wild fight that no one can quell, and they trample ove r
half the flowers in the garden .
Let me explain how Shao foresaw this event so precisely .
The number for the year 1,053 is obtained by dividing by 12, an d
getting a remainder of 9 .
The number of May is 5 .
The number of the day is 3 .
The hour of divination is 12 :30, its number is 12 .
Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 10 9
Summing (9 + 5 + 3) we get 17 and dividing it by 8, we have a
remainder of 1 . The outer trigram is thus Chien . Doing the calculatio n
for the inner trigram, we begin with (9 + 5 + 3 + 12), and obtain a
remainder of 5 or Sun . Dividing (9 + 5 + 3 + 12) by 6, we get a
remainder of 5, so the moving Yao is 5 .
Thus the Pen Kua is the 44th hexagram of Gou ( Vr Ti ), and the H u
Kua and Shih Kua derived from it create this arrangement :
[
1
}
t Fire x
Metal x Metal [
I
Wood Ti Kuu Metal Wood [
1 Gia'n 50 Din g
44 Gdu
In the Pen Kua we see that meta : destroys or Ke wood, so that th e
Yung destroys the Ti . The peonies are in danger . In the Hu Kua, ther e
is double Chien, two more Yung Kua of metal, which means grea t
disaster for the Ti Kua . When Shao looks at these three Gian of metal ,
he thinks : " Gia' n represents horse, it would be easy for the flowers t o
be trampled by a horse . "
Then he looks at the Li in the outer trigram of the final hexagra m
and thinks "Li is the brightest sunshine, this will happen around noon .
But what day? I am divining as we stand here, not walking, so it is not
soon, not today . Flowers have a short cycle of blooming, it is tomorrow ."
If he had divined the time by numbers he would have gotten the numbe r
18, or 6 tomorrow morning, but the Li he judges is a clearer sign, flower s
and bright light go together very well .
Exercise Problem . .
Each day for several days, pick some topic of interest in you r
everyday living and divinate and make a judgment by yourself . Tak e
care to do the work in a calm frame of mind . Select a subject that yo u
can check on later to test the accuracy of your work . If it's inaccurate ,
which it often may be, go over your decisions and see what the correc t

1 10 The Tao Of I-Ching
ones would be .
To make this kind of study we might compare ourselves to a
naturalist who has become a novice birdwatcher . He sees a bird flutte r
in the tree out of the corner of his eye, and he follows it as closely as h e
can and notes as much as he can of its coloring and pattern, style o f
flight, size, and song . Then he studies his identification manual an d
finally narrows down what he believes the bird to be : a robin or a rare
warbler .
However, we have a special advantage over the novice birdwatcher ,
because once the bird has flown away, he can never tell if he was righ t
or wrong in identifying it . For us, when we have divinated, the stud y
is just beginning . We have an "expert friend" to tell us in great detai l
how accurate our judgment has been . That friend is the event itself .
Using the event we divinated about to improve ourselves, w e
gradually extend our studies . For example, we divinate and conclud e
that the active agent in some coming event will be Kan, and that it wil l
be a person. We see Kan means water, and "to entrap", we read "thief "
and "boatman". We look at the connected places, bar — maybe a
bartender, gas — maybe a gas station attendant, tryst — maybe tw o
lovers . We even extend our thinking : "Thief" could indicate a n
undercover agent out to entrap a thief instead .
Every indication gives us a clue to narrow down the list of "suspects "
in our search . We may read that Kan is the "middle son", and thi s
tells us a lot - if it is connected with a gas station, then the "younge r
son" would obviously be the person who pumps gas, and the "middl e
son" the skilled mechanic with the tow truck, and the "elder son" th e
owner of the business .
There is a bonus in this kind of study, and that is how surprising i t
is at first to find the event that finally occurs has such close ties to th e
divination of it even if we missed or misinterpreted those ties . Once
we have seen such a correspondence, any feeling we have that we ar e
dealing with empty imaginings is gone forever .
Example Three . A father is more experienced than his son .
It is a winter night,and snow is whirling about the house . Shao an d
his son sit and chat around the fireplace . Suddenly someone is knockin g
at the door. First there is a single knock, after a while, five in a row .
Then a voice calls, "Shao, are you home? I want to borrow somethin g
from you ."
Chapter Two The Miracle Of Divination 11 1
Shao opens the door and the visitor enters with a burst of snow an d
wind . Shao already has a plan . He wants to see how good his son i s
with divination . He says to his visitor, "Don 't say anything about wha t
you want to borrow, I want my son to figure this out . Here, come over
and make yourself comfortable around the fireplace . "
Like father, like son — Shao's son is an I Ching student . No doub t
he can start with the numbers of hour, day, month and year to develo p
a Pen Kua, Hu Kua and Shih Kua . But because this is a test of his skill ,
he wants to develop a new method on his own . He recalls that their
visiting neighbor knocked on the door once, then five times . He decides
that is his clue, and he calls the first knock the outer trigram, Chien ,
and calls the second group of five his inner trigram . Which come s
to be Sun . It is past 10 at night, so the hour is 22 . To get the
Moving Yao he adds one and five and twenty-two to get twenty-eight ,
and when divided by six, the remainder is four . The moving Yao is 4 .
His complete divination is :
Yung Ku a
Metal
+
0 0
J
Ti Kua Metal Wood
Wood
f•
44 Gou 1 Gia'n 57 Sia n
It is a very special case, for of the six trigrams, three are Gia'ns an d
three are Suns . Gia ' n is metal and Sun is wood . So the object thei r
neighbor wants to borrow is related to wood and metal . So the so n
judges and says, "You want to borrow a hoe . "
"You are wrong, " says Shao, "he wants to borrow an axe ." "Wha t
do you want to borrow!? " father and son ask the neighbor . almos t
in unison .
"An axe ." comes the reply .
Shao smiles and explains to his son how he erred . Sun tends t o
represent something long, like a wooden handle . Gia'n stands for a

112 The Tao Of I-Ching
round shape, especially of metal . A hoe usually is pointed or has a fla t
edge of metal, an axe always has a curved edge to cut wood better .
But the two are close, so Shao looks for another sign to confirm . Is it
daytime? Then the visitor may use a hoe in daytime . Nighttime ?
This is impossible, because there is no light for working outdoors in th e
garden in the middle of winter . Yet an axe, yes, maybe the neighbo r
needs to cut up some firewood . He can do this at night . Shao decide s
for the axe . Its use is acceptable within the time of the divination .
This shows us the role of change in divination . Everything changes ,
and we adjust our divination to fit what we know of the time . In thi s
way we have a general guide, and the divination gives us more exac t
direction . We might ask of Shao and his son, "What about a hammer ?
It has a round head ." In Shao's time, what we today call a hammer di d
not exist . Since it exists in our time, when we divinate we of course ,
would use this knowledge . Also, follow what strongly impresses us whe n
the question occurs, just as Shao's son had his attention attracted to th e
knocking sounds at the door and used them to derive the trigrams .
We must begin by using a simple method and working with it ,
otherwise we become confused with too much . Yet what we are doing i s
not "dead" or "fixed" but must always adapt a little bit to the
circumstances and the time . If we are in a church, we sense one mood ;
in a park, we sense another ; having a snack in our kitchen, we sens e
another . Can you tell which are the trigrams for each of these? Yo u
can tell if you study and think about them . We have only 64 hexagram s
to use, and only a few hundred combinations when we divinate with on e
mvoing Yao . Yet these are like a car with four wheels, it can take u s
anywhere if we know how to drive . We can learn if we keep a spiri t
of lightheartedness but always seriousness within it — just like a youn g
man driving in his sports car may smile and wave, but his attention i s
always focused clearly on the road and the traffic .
Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 11 3
CCC C
CCf
Chapter Three : f C
CRADLE OF CHINESE CULTUR E
CCC
=In
3-1 How to Read the 64 Hexagrams - -
The earlier part of this book is an intensive preparation for us t o
learn to use the hexagrams well . Now we come to the actual hexagram s
where we focus all this work . There are several points to consider i n
learning to make the best use of this section .
*Pinyin . The usual English spellings of Chinese words that are
supposed to give a clue to their pronounciation are dropped in favor o f
the standardized Pinyin spellings, used in teaching the Chinese languag e
to English speaking people . This creates a consistent standard i n
approaching the pronounciation . If a student wants to learn the correc t
pronounciation, they can do so easily by getting a language teachin g
book from the library, or taking a course, and they' will find the sam e
standards there .
*Ancient wood block prints for each hexagram . We often say " a
picture is worth a thousand words " and today scientists study how a
person ' s "visual mind " is even more complex and powerful than thei r
"verbal mind" . In many kinds of learning, words are merely a star t
for a person to build up a mental picture for themselves . Using pictures

The Tao Of I-Chin g
1 14
directly to work with is very important in developing our whole selves .
Not only will we learn to "read directly" from pictures, but it wil l
train us to make better visual images from words .
Look at one of the pictures . Forget the words and don't read them .
Look at the picture with all your attention for a minutes, or five or te n
minutes . Keep your imagination active and look for the impressions
you get from the images . You will find you have all sorts of distinct ,
personal impressions . This is your personal image . This is what i s
important — not what someone else tells you are supposed to see there .
Once you have done this, you can then see ways that the pictur e
relates to the event you are divinating about . Suppose we tak e
Hexagram 1 1, Tai or Positive .
We see a little boy sitting on the clouds .
In the text accompanying the picture, there is a suggestion o f
possible meanings — "This can be good . A sudden rise to success . Or
poor, to aim very high, but to care nothing about developing th e
fundamentals."
We can see how easily these two images develop . The heavens alway s
represent advanced development, and we expect to see a youngste r
beginning life near the ground . Here he is high, so it means he has grea t
talents or achievements that have taken him up fast .
Similarly, we can think of the little boy filled with enthusiasti c
dreams about "what I'm going to do when I grow up" and meanwhil e
neglecting his homework at school and going nowhere !
There are many possibilities . A pregnant woman who divinate s
about her child and sees this picture may have a strong impression o f
realizing she is going to have a boy .
A parent with a sick child may have cause for alarm . The picture
may suggest their son will never grow to an adult, but will die and go t o
heaven .
You may look at the picture and seeing the boy instantly get a stron g
impression of someone you ' ve just been thinking about . And you ma y
see how the boy ' s expression and place in the picture define how tha t
person is developing .
To divinate this way can become very powerful as we practice an d
use all our abilities to unravel the reading . It requires our complet e
seriousness and sincerity in doing this, as in any serious work ':-here w e
need to do something well .
Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 11 5
Some people may say "This is just superstition! There is n o
scientific method to it . "
But this is just an insistence that everything in life has only on e
rigid meaning that can be spelled out on paper . To correct this, w e
should look at our daily life, and see how much of it has the deepes t
meaning, yet it cannot be spelled out . Suppose you ask your sel f
"Tomorrow is a holiday . What will I do?" Is there any standard answe r
to this? Even the way we reach our decision is not standardized an d
cannot be described . And this is our life with all its order and meaning .
So to practice this divination well, we need to open our mind' s
eye to the non-standard way we live our daily life, and we can mak e
progress .
*Natural and man-made . In my book The Tao of Meditation, I
describe in greater detail how our activities have an element that i s
`natural' and an element that is `man-made' . The point in studyin g
meditation is to learn to know the natural clearly, so we can live wel l
and avoid confusion : wherever we find troubles in human living, w e
always find people with different `man-made' visions of life conflictin g
with each other, because each is absolutely convinced theirs is "natural . "
We define the natural as that which is completely tied in with th e
whole of life, the fourth dimensional world that we live in, in a thre e
dimensional way .
When we divinate, we are receiving a fourth dimensional image that i s
projected into our three dimensional undestanding, and this image is like a
blue-print of a building . It is a complete blue-print of the event ,
including its beginning and ending .
In divination, we are using some things that are more natural, an d
others that are necessarily worked out into man-made and persona l
terms .
For example, the divination tools of Principle Position, Matching ,
and Middle Position are natural and direct . Consider Hexagram 1 1, Tai ,
or Positive .
Analysis : **The situation is good, because 1st, 3rd, 4th and 6th ar e
all in principle position .
**The match is very good, and this means dealing with other peopl e
are perfect . You can note how 1st and 4th, 2nd and 5th, 3rd and 6t h
are all one Yang and one Yin .
**The middle position is very poor because the 2nd Yao is Yin and 5th


1 16 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 11 7

Principl e
Position
Yi n Good
Qian ~i

1
Yan g Poo r
Yin Good Heaven above
Yang Goo d Heaven below
Yi n Poor
The Heaven
Yang Good
Yao is Yang, neither in principle position . This means you don 't have a
clear goal, a strong will to promote, develop your goals .
**As a whole, the three Yang Yao below the three Yin Yao mean
that Yang is growing up from the bottom to drive away the Yin . This i s
very active, or very good .
We can see from the above how the natural meanings of the line s
form themselves into an abstract pattern that we can directly apply t o
our human situation .
Now, by contrast, the Hints on Divination where we have the Kw a
Tsi and Yao Tsi and `new' versions of them in our present cultural terms ,
these are completely man-made . They are there for you to refer to, a
stimulus to evolving your own personal ones .
*A final note . The open circle o indicates a Yao is a good one in
terms of the whole hexagram, and the black circle • indicates it is a ba d
one. If there is no circle by the Yao, it means it is so-so . This is th e
same whith the notes on the seasons . If we say the hexagram is good i n
spring, had in summer, then fall and winter are so-so .
The open circle is derived from the interrelations of all the lines . Th e
seasonal information is derived from application of the trigram cycle s
to the year . So we can say these indications are more natural .


1 18 The Tao Of 1-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 11 9

n Window of the hexagram n 30 . rAi Li Fire or Li

1. A deer on a cloud ( ) means official rank granted by heaven .

51 . Zhen Thunder or Che n
2. The wise man cutting and polishing a piece of shining jade means a
person must discipline and educate himself if he is to be a usefu l
citizen . 52 . . Yin Mountain or Ke n
3. The full moon in the sky means light shining in all directions .
4. An official climbing up the steps of the ladder to watch the moo n
57 . = Sŭn Wind or Sun
means rapid and continuous advances in one's career .

Image and Symbo l 58 . St — Dui Lake or Tui

When we consult the I Ching about an illness, and derive one of these
The image is six dragons governing the heavens . pure hexagrams, it means the condition of the patient is very
The symbol is of all-inclusiveness . dangerous .
3 . If you are a woman, Qian tells you that you are too Yang . You nee d
0
Kra Tsi (Cfr ) vOq to be more Yin or sweet-natured. Otherwise, there will be trouble .
\
C- 1 If you are sick, it is related to the brain, lungs or the nervous system .
(Explanation of the hexagram by King Wan) .
0
f' 7 TIJ Cl Yao Tsi ( Z . ) 0
Qian brings the most profound success . It comes through persistence . C-1 J
Explanation of the separate lines, or Yaos, by the Duke of Chou .
((~? Than ( r ) or hints on divining.
1st Yao the dragon is hidden . Take no action .
1 . This is an April hexagram, good in spring and winter, bad in summer .
2 . Qian is double the trigram 'gian , so they have the same name, /.han (_rS )
image and characteristics, it is called pure or Chun ( ) hexagram .
There are eight pure hexagrams in the I Ching . They are : 1 . Be prudent in making statements and careful in personal conduct .
Otherwise there will be trouble .
2 . If you are a pregnant woman, the time to give birth to a child is near .
1. 1 = Qian Heaven or Chien 3 . You can emerge successful from a competitive examination .
4 . Your girl friend is too Yang or hard . Perhaps you date someone wh o
fails to appear .
2. i _= Kun Earth or Kun
2nd Yao. The dragon appears in the field . It is a time to see a n
29 . .l Kan Water or Kan influential person . 0


12 0 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 121

4 ., 4 ,
Zhan (r$ ) Zhan ( G$ )

1. Receive guidence from influential persons to start and develop you r 1. Too much is as bad as not enough .
own business . 2. It is the right time to retire .
2. A patient's condition is dangerous . 3. One has to stop at the right moment .
3. To be alert for a fire other disaster from your neighbor . 4. Remind oneself that things might have been worse .
JJL•RET • p0
3rd Yao . One is active all day long, and at night worriedly review s All lines change : A flight of headless dragons appears . There will b e
things. There is danger, but one does the right things . 0 good fortune . 0

Zhan( )

1. Rain is falling on a dry farmland . It is a good time and wort h

working on it.
2. Catch the opportunity : it will soon disappear without leaving a trace .
3 Your boy friend is good and reliable, but too Yang .

4th Yao . The flight wavers over the depth . This is all right .

Zhan (c$ )

1. If you don't know what course of action to take, you will lose th e
opportunity .
2. Don't underestimate yourself .
3. If you are sick, it is not serious .
f'Jn, A O
5th Yao . The dragon flies in heaven . It is a time to see an influential
person . 0

Zhan ( )

1. Everything goes well .

2. Heaven helps a good person .
3. The condition of a patient will improve tremendously .

6th Yao . The dragon is arrogant and will come to repent .



1 22 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 12 3

Window of the hexagra m

Kun E13
1. Eleven mouths refers to a traditional riddle and the answer is th e

2 Earth abov e Chinese character " , which means old or ancient . Eleven mouth s
also means many mouths to feed .
Earth belo w 2. An officer sitting on a pile of coins, means to be successful in bot h
The Earth politics and business.
3. A god on the raised platform wearing golden armor delivers docu-
ments to an officer. This image represents a stroke of genius, comin g
as if it were divine inspiration .

= Image and Symbol =

The image is to support and contain all things .

The symbol is "all for one, and one for all . "

0 0
0 Kua Tsi (3ZZTtP ) 0

• 3C ~L C7 •

Kiln brings highest success through cultivation with the persistence o f

a mare. If a person tries to lead, he is lost . But if he follows, he find s
the guidance he needs . It is good to find friends in the west and south ,
to avoid those from the east and north . Quiet work brings good fortune .

Z
" an ( r) or hints on divinin g

1. This is an October hexagram . Good in spring and winter, bad i n

summer .
2. Don't act without either objective or cause .
3. It is good to do something for others .
4. It is one of the eight pure hexagrams . So the patient in a critica l
condition will recover from illness, but will need a long time .
5. You have a very good wife or girl friend .


1 24 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 12 5

0
YaoTsi(Jf:2 0 4 Zhan (rL )
0 0 a
Ca
m

1. Don't try to speculate on the stock market .

1st Yao . When the first frost is on the ground, the solid ice will b e 2. People will criticize you as a miser .
coming soon . • 0
5th Yao . If your lower garments are yellow, you have the greatest goo d
fortune . 0

1. Take care of yourself with the greatest circumspection . Zhan ( T\A

2. Do not be tempted by small gains and suffer a big loss .
3. Old friendships may be completely forgotten with the sudde n 1. Mind your own business .
change of financial expression . This means that even people who ar e 2. Attain or develop a new way of life by yourself .
good and long time friends, can have conflits over money . They 3. A husband is obedient to his wife, and a father to his son .
fight, argure with each other, and forget they are good friends . r .f•Affâ.A • •
±• W`
i~— i~:~i •' i~T9 • O 6th Yao . Dragons are battling in the meadow . They bleed with sky
2nd Yao . It is straight, square and great . It has no purpose, yet nothin g blue and sandstone . •
is neglected . 0

r: : :
Zhan ( ur )
: Zhan ( )

1. If you are always open and good hearted, people will trust you, an d
you will be successful in different areas .
2. Some good things will happen unexpectedly .
3. Good luck . Catch the opportunity to develop yourself .
E• V a7 • A f E • ~Efrk
3rd Yao. There are hidden lines . A person can keep persevering . If you
serve a king, don't look for visible accomplishment, but work to ge t
things done .
4 Zhan (r$ )
1. If you think of nothing but your own gain, you will receive censur e
through your own faults .
2. Don't try to engage in a fight with your allies .
3. He who cannot forbear in small matters spoils great undertakings .
M A . Mc a
All lines change . Continuing work is a worthwhile thin g
cla Zhan ( ) r
1. The symbol is one of dwelling together as husband and wife .
2. If you can exert yourself with dedication, you'll have good fortune .

1. The right time has not come yet .

2. Forethought brings happiness .
3. Work hard and keep quite like a mare.

4th Yao . The sack is tied up . There is nothing to praise, and nothing t o
blame .


1 26 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 12 7

Lai
Tu n
Window of the hexagram
n
1. A man climbing to the top of a lookout post, means he can see bot h
Water abov e forward and backward to avoid dangerous situations .
Thunder below 2. A cart sinking deep in the mud, means there is a lot of trouble ,
First Difficulty everything is mixed up .
3. A dog turns its head backwards . This signifies the Chinese characte r
for crying . ( )
4. A person shoots an arrow at a document . He uses an ancient bow.
This means to hit the bull's eye .
5. A knife is at the cow's head . This means survival is hopeless .
6. A beautiful box with a matching cover means to be united and t o
work in concert .

Image and Symbo l

11KIN-a(a •
The image is a heavenly dragon that decends to a shallow water .
The symbol is of all things starting to germinate .

0
ItivaTsi (3 TIt

jc91 Tk •9 •
Tim leads to great success . It is worth persisting . Nothing should b e
done right now . It is a good idea to get helpers .

/,han ( ' r$ ) or hints on divining

1. This is a June hexagram . It is good in spring and fall and bad in th e

summer .
2. Tŭn, a difficult stage, is one of the four evil hexagrams (Qg l~iF )
in the I Ching . The others are :

29. E =— Kan Wate r



128 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 12 9

3rd Yao . A man who goes deer hunting without his guide only gets lost .
39 . - - Cil Limping A mature person reads the signs and decides to do nothing . If he wen t
on, he would just be humbled . •

47 . N - - Kiln oppression 44 ,

Zhan ( Li )

As you can see, these four evil hexagrams are related to Kan or wate r
1. Be content to be what one is .
Tim has trouble at the beginning . 2. Don ' t concentrate on details and forget the main purpose .
Kan has trouble at both the beginning and the end . 3 . One is unable to return to the proper path after going astray .
Cŭ has difficulty in the middle stage . • EMI • •' tta •3ET 9 •
Kiln signifies the most difficult situation . 4th Yao . Horse and wagon come apart. One looks for a way to unit e
3 . You draw criticisms with every move you make . them. It is good fortune to do something . Everything favors it .
4. Things do not turn out as you wish, so you retire to seclusion an d
examine yourself. Zhan ( )

0 YaoTsi()3~sc ) 0 1. One is capable of adapting oneself to circumstance .

C- 2. One has good luck after suffering from unfavorable times .
3. It is a good time to marry .
1st Yao . One hesitates on finding a blockage . It is worth persistin g d, )cA 14 •
towards the goal . It is worthwhile finding helpers . • 5th Yao . It is hard to find good favor. To work mildly and persistentl y
will bring good luck . To push too hard will bring misfortune . •
Zhan ( c~ )
Zhan (r5 )
1. Be aware of one's own behavior, and wait for a better opportunity .
2. One worries about one's financial situation . 1. Lack of forbearance in small matters upsets great plans .
3. It is not a good time to change a job or position . 2. Don't try to make much of a trifle .
A L ' • Iu] i1Itn • *AI An • #C- T ± 1 )J • 3. It is not a good time to do business, or to change a job .
2nd Yao . Difficulties accumulate, and the horse and wagon come apart .
_ E A A, W. Itt] • 7 1fU1 A •
The person who appears is not a robber, but wants to woo . The youn g 6th Yao . Horse and wagon come apart . Tears of blood flow .
lady is virtuous and does not agree to the offer . After ten years, she
agrees . • Zhan ( r )

1. It is a difficult and hopeless stage .

2. Happy sunny days will bring joy after all the hardships are endured .
1. One does not know what course of action to take .
2. A woman indulges in the pleasure of sex .
3. Stick to one's duty, or there will be trouble .
• 11 1 tAM'1't' • •Tea • i ••


1 30 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 13 1

Window of the hexagra m

Men g 1. A deer and a pile of coins mean to have high official rank . and

4
wealth .
Mountain above 2. A beautiful box with a matching cover means to be united and t o
Water belo w work in concert .
Underdevelope d 3. A twig of a plum tree is snapped . This means there are still othe r
twigs.
4. Two men are rowing on the river in a boat laden with jewelry an d
coins . This means to return home in glory .

Image and Symbo l

The image is to use one 's talent when the time comes .
The symbol is of the initial stage of all things .
0
uci kua Tsi (3Z ) q

Meng is successful. I don't seek out the young fellow, he seeks me .

When he asks for an oracle, I tell him . If he asks the same thing two o r
three times, this is poor manners, and I tell him nothing more . It i s
favorable to persist in one's goals .

/,ha« ( LS) or hints on divinin g

1. This is an August hexagram . It is bad in spring and autumn, ha s

troubles in winter .
2. The hexagram is water under a mountain — : water become s
fog, so we cannot see the mountain.
3. One considers a matter in an obsessive way .
q 0
00
0/ YaoTsi(x )
l— `J
U • R • J A 1f+J A• • 1J,q I5
1st Yao . To develop an ignorant person, it is good to apply discipline .


1 32 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 13 3

Severely rigid restraints should be removed . To go on with these brings

disaster . Zhan ( )

Zhan ( ) 1 . You have to perceive another person's frame of mind throug h

words and expression .
1 . One is to dispense to reward and punishment impartially . 2 . In handling one ' s subordinates, one has to use a proper mixture o f
2. A wise man knows when he is beaten or when to reatreat . severity and gentleness .
3 . It is difficult to please everybody . 3 . One needs to take every precaution at the beginning .

3rd Yao . Do not take up with a woman who throws herself at an y

strong man . It's a waste of time . •
7-4 r. . x 4 x . K . a .

Zhan (b )
, . . r . x + .. . -a.~
4 .

1. Lewdness is the worst of all sins .

2. Only one party is willing .
3. One injures a person already in difficulty .
7 • Ec
4th Yao . Getting taken up with impractical dreams brings humiliation . •

Zhan (c$ )

1. Don't isolate yourself from society .

2. There is much ado about nothing .
3. Truth seldom sounds pleasant, but you have to listen .
• • 0
5th Yao . If you are underdeveloped, a childlike attitude is good
fortune . 0

1. Learning is an endless process .

2. One discovers his ignorance only through learning .
3. One should make use of what one has learned .
_A• •T ►Ja • •
6th Yao . If you must punish foolishness, it is poor to do it excessively .
The good punishment is that which restores order .


The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 135
1 34

Xu n
Window of the hexagram Lai
1 . A full moon means to have the prospect of a very successful career .

5 Water abov e
Heaven belo w
Waiting
2. The one gate means heaven will always leave a door open .
3. A man holding onto a dragon's tail means to try to achieve succes s
by riding on the coattail of a brilliant master .
4. A monk acting as a receptionist means one will be guided by a
distinguished person .
5. A grave means twelve is a lucky number .

Image and Symbo l

The image is the sky blotted out by clouds .

The symbol is of dark clouds building up, but no rain comes yet .

0
Kua Tsi
C

Xŭ . If you are sincere, great success will come . It is good fortune t o

persist . It is a good time to cross the great water .

/,ha p ( iS) or hints on divining

1. This is an August hexagram . It is good for spring and winter .

2. The up p er trigram Kun or water is evaporating to become clouds i n
The sky . The farmer waits for clouds to become rain . But this
takes time .
If a hexagram's 5th Yao is Pien or moving Yao, and the Shih Kua i s
a pure hexagram, then this hexagram is called qŭihŭn (N ) or
soul returning hexagram . If we change qŭihŭn's lower trigram, eac h
Yao Yin to Yang or Yang to Yin, we get a new hexagram which i s
called Youhŭn ( i, ) or soul wandering hexagram . When one get s

qŭihŭn or Yoŭhŭn hexagram, it is a bad omen, especially relate d

to illness . "These hexagrams are :


136 The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 13 7

qŭihŭn pure youhŭ n Finally there is good fortune .

7_4 ♦ x ♦ .. .
w ♦ r

8 . Bi 5 XtI Zhan () I'

1 . Your friend may have trouble ; don't get involved in it .

7 . sh i 36 Mingyi 2 Where whole-hearted dedication is seen, the whole world will ste p
aside to let you by .
35 ji n 3 Calm down . Do not enter a lawsuit .
14 . Day u
1.-= ' %T • ft 0 a-
3rd Yao . One waits stuck in the mud, and the enemy is attracted . 0
13 . Tong ren 6 Son g
Zhan ( )
17. Sui 28 Dagu o
1. One suffers a major setback because of carelessness .
2. If one does not take care of oneself, one will be beset with povert y
18. G ŭ 27 Yi - and illness .
3. Your girl friend found a new love .
53. Jia n 61 zhongf ŭ
4th Yao . One waits in blood . Try to get out of the pit . 9

54. Guimei 62 Xiaogu o K'l Zhan (E )

1. Don't try to resort too violence .

2. The situation is very dangerous . One must stand fast and let fat e
YaoTsi(J,~~x )
0
0 take its course .
0
3. The patient needs an operation .

1st Yao . One waits in the meadow . It is good to continue with wha t 5th Yao . One waits while having food and drink . One persists and ther e
one has at the moment . This is the right attitude . is good fortune . 0

or hints on divinin g Zhan ( )

Zhan (~r~ )

1. Wait a while since the right time has not come yet . 1. To wait quietly for good news .
2. Good food is not a luxury to you now .
2. Delay your newly conceived plan .
3. You will recover from illness .
3. Your partner has some trouble, and cannot provide what you ask o f
him or her.
JL—. • EffA ~ `V' ' J R • Mir G7 •
6th Yao . One falls into a pit . Three surprise guests show up . Entertai n
2nd Yao . One waits on the sand by the river . There is uneasy gossip . them and eventually there will be good fortune .


The Tao Of 1-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 139
1 38

Song
Zhan ( rr )
P
1. The waiting is over . Taking caution in this situation is all that on e
needs to progress .
2. If three of us are walking together, at least one of the other two i s 6 Heaven abov e
Water belo w
good enough to be my teacher in some area .
Lawsui t
3. Three years of hard work is crowned with success .


1 40 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 14 1

Un Window of the hexagra m

1. Two Chinese characters A and , or mouth and tongue, mean 1 . The best thing to do with a conflict is to drop the issue .
careless talk may land one in trouble . 2. You may lose money .
2. A sleeping tiger lies at the base of the mountain . This means on e 3. He who cannot forbear in small matters spoils great undertakings .
should guard against losing one's head and panicking . A L = • '1 ti: • fitft]M• A J •T o

3. A document in the cloud means something that can be looked at , 2nd Yao . One decides conflict is impractical, and one gives it up an d
but not approached . goes home . The 300 households of one 's town are protected fro m
4. A person standing beneath the tiger means the diviner should be ver y disaster .
careful about everything .
1/han (r~ )
Image and Symbol
1. Careless talk may land one in trouble .
2. Timely withdrawal prevents evil consequence .
The image is the soaring eagle swooping to catch its prey . 3. There is a bad omen after April .
The symbol is water and fire cannot coexist . ° • IX
L.7 o Ptv 'V C
• 1hi, ~ ° t }/.c:

.3rd Yao . Strengthening oneself by studying past virtues creates th e

0
Kua Tsi ( 0
0 ability to persist . There is danger, but finally there is good fortune .
If you happen to serve a king, do not seek conspicuous appointments .
• ` •'~ 'A • g-4 • IJ~ J~ • . 1-c f4t)(111 •
Song . You have good intention, but find opposition . Stopping halfwa y
brings good fortune, but pushing ahead will bring disaster . It is a goo d
idea to confer with an influential person . It is not a time to cross th e 1 . It is a warning of the danger that goes with an expansive temper .
great water . 2. Do not be incited to some action by others .
3. The modest receive benefit, while the conceited reap failure .
or hints on divinin g -}, El
7,han ( ~ f311u p
. .)., .
4th Yao . One rejects the conflict, gives it up and accepts what such a
1. This is a February hexagram . It is good in summer and fall, bad i n fate offers . One changes one ' s attitude and finds calmness in persistin g
spring and winter . in good works . Good fortune .
2. Think and plan ahead and take precautions against calamity .
3. Nobody wins in a lawsuit . Zha n
C—
o YaoTsi(J~ŭ ) 1 . Contentment brings happiness .
C- 7 2. Good naturedness leads to good conditions .
lli~ • *Ph • .J. • - ~Do not plan to compete in an election .
3.
1st Yao .If one dosen ' t keep up the conflict, maybe there is a littl e
criticism, but in the end there is something good . Sth Yao . Giving the dispute to the arbiter is the greatest goo d


14 2 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 14 3

fortune .

Zhan ( ) Shi
1. One has one's wish fulfilled .
2. Take action as opportunity arises . 7 Earth abov e
Water belo w
3. It is good to seek a spouse .
Army
±.A ° , 2 M• -1 2. . 0
6th Yao . Even if one happens to get an honorary leader belt, b y
noontime it will have been snatched away by others three times .

N Zhan )

1. One works hard without achieving anything .

2. A triumph is not backed by facts .
3. What one gains cannot offset the losses .
 r

144 The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 14 5

n Window of the hexagra m than (_r$ _)

1. It is good in the year of the tiger, horse, and sheep .
2. A general stands on the stage . This means having the authorit y
to make military decisions .
3. The person in charge has an official seal . This means authority o r
holding power unchallenged .
4. A man kneeling on the stage means to be rewarded, it is a good omen .
1 . At the beginning of an enterprise, preparation is imperative .
2. Do not plan to oppress your partner to the extreme .
3. Encourage freedom of speech and accept what the other perso n
is saying .
~1- • :E rt3 t • E ig
2nd Yao . One is in the middle of the army . This is good fortune and
there is no blame . The ruler recognizes this with a triple decoration .

Image and Symbo l Zhan( ) I

W •1~ ~k • 1 . Better days are coming after all the hardships endured .
The image is a horse soaring to heaven . 2. Share good and bad with your partner .
The symbol is of large numbers being overwhelmed by a small grou p 3. You may have a twin .
of the enemy . ni• VJ •
3rd Yao . The army carries dead men in the wagon . Bad luck . •
0
kuuTsi ( ) 0 Z,han() 0.6

tfi • rt • J~ ~, • i'~ ` 1 . An army which is cocksure about its invincibility is doomed t o

Shi . It takes persistence in the work and a strong leader . . defeat .
There is good fortune and no feeling of blame . 2 . There is shocking news of a patient .
3- Pursue good fortune and avoid the course of calamity .

( ~$) or hints on divining

4th Yao . Time to retreat . This is blameless .

l . This is a July hexagram . It is good in winter and bad in summer an d than (r$ )
fall .
2. Without good organization nothing can be accomplished . . The best strategy is to pretend to retreat in order to hide th e
3. The realization of good things is usually preceded by rough times . intention to move ahead .
2. Share bliss and adversity together .
.
Yao Tsi ( W 14 ) 0 3. Don ' t be mad at your sweetheart .

f,!'j i • Gill ;1 . L,l' • '!i k • lJ 5th Yao . There are animals in the cultivated field . It is good to catc h
1st Yao . An army must set out well organized . If it is disorganized , them and there is no blame . The most mature must lead . If th e
misfortune will occur . younger person's work leads to his carrying a lot of dead men, the n


146 The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 14 7

continuing is bad luck .

3ti Than ( BIL L

1 . Persistent effort can overcome difficult circumstances .
2. He who acts fast will catch the animal first . 8 Water abov e
Earth belo w
3. One is far advanced in one's illness .
R *J- 0 •Uri % • 'J'AtfIl
Loyalty
6th Yao . The great prince issues orders on dividing the victory spoils .
He gives some of his workers estates to run and others large estates. He
does not offer this kind of reward to the inferior and disloyal ones .

N ZlIan (~) 3
1. Don't give great responsibility to a man of common ability .
2. To be a founder of an enterprise is very difficult .
3. One should retire after achieving success .


143 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 14 9

Truth is like a full earthen bowl . In the end, good fortune shows u p
from outside . O

1. The full moon in the sky is a metaphor for having the prospect o f Zhan ( L )
a very successful career .
2. A scholar drinking in the moonlight means to relax and take one' s 1 . You start to strive for progress with determination .
ease . 2. Sincerity is the basis for forming relationships .
3. Drinking deeply means happiness is flawed by sorrow when it reache s 3. If a patient has this Yao, they will recover from illness soon .
an extreme.
4. The pottery jar for cooking medicines is put on a high shelf . Thi s 2nd Yao . Be loyal in an inward way . Persistence this way brings goo d
means very good health ; you don't need any medicines . luck . O
5. A withered old tree puts forth beautiful flowers . This means goo d
fortune that comes after a long spell of bad luck . Zhan (r$ ) J

Image and Symbol 1. An action impelled by emotion should stop within the limit o f
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. ..._.
propriety .
* ._ • * T71 ~ 2. : • 2. People help those who help themselves .
The image is of bright stars encircling the major star of Polaris . 3. The condition of a patient will be severe .
The symbol is of land flooded with water .
3rd Yao . Your loyalties are to the wrong people .
__ _=z==z . . z

Zhan ( 1:5 ) C I4

.f• •r ~7 a• o ~ 3K , VI 0
Bi is good fortune . You should make sure by asking the oracle if yo u 1. One always gets blame from somebody no matter how fair and jus t
have high standards and constant persistence . If so, everything is good . he is .
Uncertain helpers gradually join up . Those who come too late lose out . 2. Do not give a guarantee or promise of money .
3. It is very hard to find something that is up to standard .
/,flan ( r~) or hints on divinin g
4th Yao . Show your loyalty outwardly . Persistence brings good luck .
1 . This is a July hexagram . It is good in summer and winter an d
suggests illness in Spring . Zhan (ra )` PA
D

2. You will get help from all sides .

3. Do not do to others what you do not want to have done to you . 1 . You will be promoted by your boss .
3 2 . Receive advice with sincerity and tact from a good person .
YaoTsi(t'Jŭ ) o ~[ • g(t.L • Ill= • * tit • ~ATii 1 u
C— t5hYou example of holding together . When the king goes hunting ,
. An
/-r • 0i /'

• -44 l
'~JJ /~ 2• '
~~ JL. Cr • ttl
illL • 1 I-I~ . _ he uses beaters on three sides of the game only . He lets go those that ru n
1st ) au . Hold on in truthfulness and loyalty and then there is no blame . off in front . People do not need to be forever cautious . This is good .


1 50 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 15 1

luck.

Zhan (u
r ) -° Xiaoxŭ 'k ®
1. You will break out from a heavy siege .
2. Do not to beat a person when he is already down . 9 Wind above
Heaven belo w
3. To solve the bey issue will expedite the solution of the whole problem . Small Savin g
IA - 12_q
6th Yao . A person has no sense for giving loyalty . Bad luck . •

Zhan ( r )

1. There is one trouble after another .

2. Doing something wrong leads to endless regret .
3. The greater one's adversity is, the stronger his fortitude should be .


15 2 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 153

n Window of the hexagra m than (_r )

1. Be content to be what one is .

1. A mountain chain represents the Chinese character , "to go out ." 2. It is wise not to try to obtain anything by force .
2. A man walking up a steep trail on a mountain, means to do some - 3. One wins battles but loses the war .
thing despite the dangers and difficulties involved . —• b •
3. A boat grounded on the land means you cannot do anything withit . 2nd Yao. He lets himself get drawn out and then returns . Good luck .
4. A lookout post on the grass means something related to grass and
r_4 .. 4 r. ♦ . 4 . 4 . ♦1
1
trees.
Zhan( )
5. There is a decoration of a cow 's and a sheep 's head on the lookou t ~ . . .r "L

post means the time of cow and sheep is good . 1. One must listen to good advice .
2. Repentance is salvation .
Image and Symbo l
3rd Yao . The spokes break off the wagon wheels, A man and his wif e
look at each other with angry eyes . e
The image is a treasured sword resting in its sheath .
The symbol is of weather that is extremely cloudy, but no cloudburs t = Zhan ( )
comes yet .
I . There is too much urgency to make a wise choice .
UTs i . (3CTt ) q
0 2 . Haste upsets carefully laid out plans .
3. A married couple should be love each other and be kind to on e
another.
is successful . There are heavy clouds, but no rain comes from Pi -
4th Yao. If you have sincerity, blood and fear vanish . There is no blame .

((~?? /hen (i ) or hints on divin g Zhan ( G $)

1. This is a November haxagram . It is good in winter, bad in summe r 1. This is a principle Yao . It is very difficult for one Yin to gover n
and brings quarrels in fall . five Yangs .
2. One Yin Yao governs five Yang Yao ; it is a Yin hexagram . 2. Do not hide different plans behind the semblance of agreement .
3. The time has not yet come for carrying out one's purpose . 3. There is no danger where there is preparedness .
)L• 4*J1tn• LEA -
Yao Tsi ;. ) o 5th Yao . If you are sincere and have mutual loyalty, you are blesse d
with many good neighbors .
.)A-44 1M . NAt" u •
1st Yao . Retrun to your right way . This is blameless . Good luck .


154 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 15 5

Z h a n (G$ )
Lŭ
10
a
1. Wealth and honor come to us only of their own accord .
2. You gain nothing from a rare opportunity, because you don ' t Heaven abov e
take advantage of the opportunity . Lake below
3. Although beginning a task from the bottom, one must not forge t Stepping
the ultimate objective .

6th YaJ. The rain comes and people rest . This is due to the accumula-
ting effects of character . To persist in making gains now is dangerous fo r
a woman . It is nearly a full moon, and if a person persists, they hav e
bad Iuck .

Zhan ( ) 3
1. Accumulation of small amounts results in a huge quanity .
2. A woman shares the fate of the man she married, no matter wha t
he is . (This is a traditional Chinese female virtue )
3. The sun declines after reaching the zenith .


1 56 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 1 57

Window of the hexagram IT

1 . A bamboo umbrella means one can do something .

2. A damaged document means it has been in use for a long time .
3. A woman means the Chinese character kf or good .
4. An umbrella means someone you can lean on .
5. A soldier holds a flag, representing a family's coat of arms .
6. There are two Chineese characters on the arch . T.l means "a
thousand miles," signifying that one may have high official rank o r
a good career .

Image and Symbo l

Yao Tsi ( 4
The image is trampling on the tail of a tiger .
The symbol is of keeping prepared for possible future perils whil e 'IJA &t • iE r •
enjoying peace . 1st Yao . One conducts oneself simply . One makes progress without
being at fault .
o Kua Tsi ( IEE )
G-1 Zhan ( )

Lu . One steps on the tiger's tail . It does not bite . Success is bad . I . It is wise to act independently without seeking company at thi s
time .
/,hun ( ) or hints on divining 2. One should avoid a criminal case involving sex .
3. Where there is a will there is a way .
1. This is a March hexagram It is good in winter and bad in sprin g f[ — • t8 tB • A a Q •
and fall . 2nd Yao. One follows a smooth and even course the way a dark ma n
2. Lit is the image of a nude woman, the third Yao is the symbol of th e does, and this brings good fortune .
vagina . One Ying Yao governs five Yang Yaos, so the character o f Pt4 x4x4 x4'x 4x .?
this hexagram is Yin .
t Zhan
H vx-vx4x-4
([:$ )
x_r y

1. Do not be so eager to be successful that you see only the immediat e

advantages .
2. You have talents, but are unappreciated by the world .
i~ - • Pflg tg • > • fil r l A I?~J • AR. T •
3rd Yao . A one-eyed man can see and a lame 'man can walk a little . So
he steps on the tiger's tail, and it bites him . This is bad luck . But this is

r

158 The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 15 9

how a soldier fights for his king . •

Zhan ( ) T~i 4
11 -
33=32=iSZii= fxZ3 :

1. The situation is like that of a sheep attacked by a tiger . Earth abov e

2. Beware of an accident . Heaven belo w
3. The realization of good things is usually preceded by rough going .
•PEEIO *
Positive
AM .
4th Yao . He decides to step on the tiger's tail . He does it with grea t
caution and care . He wins good fortune .

Zhan ( )tig

1. Do not go beyond your duties to meddle with another's affairs .

2. Errors are likely to occur in haste .
3. Keep distance from the other sex (Do not get involved in an affair . )

5th Yao . One proceeds resolutely . One persists but with an awareness
of the dangers .

Zhan (L)
1. One should make quick decisions in the face of problems .
2. Awareness of the danger makes success possible .
3. There is unexpected income, promotion, etc .

6th Yao. Look back over your conduct and assess the favorable thing s
you did. When everything is well done, good fortune is yours . 0

1. You can hit the target with every shot .

2. Mastery comes from long training .
3. Everybody is satisfied .


Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 16 1

160 The Tao Of I-Ching

0 ~o
n Window of the hexagram n C-
YaoTsi(T1",Q ) 0

lit• 1CC 5lU•Lis * • O

1. The sweet osmanthus flowers are in bloom on the full moon (A g ) .
An official climbing up a ladder means to emerge from an examina-
tion with success .
2. A deer holding a book in its mouth means something will be give n
by heaven .
3. A boy sits on the clouds . This can be good, like a sudden rise t o
success, or poor, like aiming high, but caring nothing about develo-
ping the fundamentals .
4. A sheep turns its head back . This is good when the year, month ,
or day is the image of the sheep.
Image and Symbo l
The image is heaven holding interc< ;e with earth .
The symbol is of making a very large profit with only a very small invest -
ment.
Kua Tsi ( T path . 0
1st Yao . When you pull up a handful of couch grass, you get a handful
of sod and roots with it . People are grouped by their common qualities .
Being active at this time brings good fortune . Q
_
Chan (L3 )
1. People with similar valuable abilities are in close contact wit h
each another now . When you undertake important work, you r
helpers will be of the best sort .
2. Your ideas and active work will become more valuable because yo u
share them with others of like mind and get their stimulus .
3. When you need a specialist for an unusual project, people in tha t
person's field will find him for you quickly .
• 'fl J• SAM •Mt• f fpi1 • 0
2nd Yao . You deal with rowdy people with gentleness . You ford the
river with great energy . You never neglect remote matters . You do no t
look to your friends . In this way you can manage to walk the middl e
RA 44 - 4 , 4 . A r♦ 4 4

Zhan (c5 ) T
Tai . Small things are fading away and great things are developing .
There is good fortune and success . 1. Instead of being lazy and careless because you can get away with it ,
you do everything the right way . As a result you make the most o f
'khan ( K5) or hints on divining your time, instead of wasting it .
2. You love fairness and moderation so much, nothing distracts yo u
from this .
1. This is a January hexagram . It is good in spring and bad in summe r
and fall . 3. If you have the intention to open new land for farming, you will b e
2. The hexagram seen as a moving image shows strong lines coming u p successful .
from the bottom and weak lines disappearing . ji.- •SE zFc- • fIT *Tt• ~111ll11It 4-• AIM •
3rd Yao . There is no even ground without a hill nearby and n o
3. The hexagram seen as a closed system of influences shows the stron g
lines in a position to influence and the weak lines in a place to b e adventuring without a return home . If you remain persevering eve n
influenced . when things get dangerous, you never do anything to feel you are t o
blame . Do not complain about these variations, enjoy what good luc k
4. It is a good omen for everything .
you still have right now.


1 62 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 1 63

Zhan ( ) Zhan ( )

1. There is no perepetual good fortune! things fluctuate . Yet a perso n 1. If something collapses completely, trying to save it will waste your
who can keep his spirit perpetually positive is always getting the bes t time and endanger you . Be quiet and try to keep yourself together
fortunes life can offer him . and see what fate brings .
2. The good circumstance does not last long . 2. Good fortune will not last forever .
3. We should continue mindful of evil ; we remain persevering an d
make no mistakes .
7%R . • T " lU A • T 7K1 •
4th Yao . He flies down, does not brag of his riches, and visits with hi s
neighbor . He has no secret motive, he is sincere .

Zhan(~$)

1. There are people with wealth or superior abilities who enjoy bein g
neighborly with any person .
2. A person needs to realize that there are important values every perso n
has to offer as well as the unique values only some possess .
3. Do not be as stubborn as a mule .

5th Yao . King I marries off his sister . The result is blessings to all an d
the highest good fortune .

Zhan ( )

1. The king does not give his offspring his power over others, but send s
them off to live their own lives and learn their own powers . Instea d
of becoming a slave to such influence, they have the great goo d
fortune to be free and develop on thier own .
2. A person who cannot stand fluctuations of fortune throws away th e
good things life offers him .
±i.• c TW•Wiil •nom,* • > • •

6th Yao . The wall falls into the moat . Do not call the enemy up ; jus t
keep in touch and command your friends . To persevere in oppositio n
would lead to great losses . •

1 64 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 1 65

n Window of the hexagra m fu.-1

Bi
12 Heaven above
Earth below
Negative
1. A man is bed-ridden with illness, because he is too ambitious .
2. A broken mirror means something that cannot be reunited .
3. A man sitting on the road means the traveller that is coming is a
long ways off yet .
4. An arrow is being dropped before it is shot means it has no chance to
reach the target .
5. A man clapping and laughing means happiness is followed by sorrow
when it is too extreme .
6. The mouth and tongue mean kissing or gossip .

Image and Symbo l

T Z • AAT® •
The image is that heaven is not holding intercourse with earth .
The symbol is of people unable to live together .

Kua Tsi (3ZT t o

0
C J

Bi, the evil people are successful . It does not help a good person t o
persevere with things . Great matters go away and small ones come .

'khan (r) or hints on divining

1. A time of triviality and second-rate things is coming . The wea k

lines move up from the bottom and the strong ones go out at the top .
2. This is a July hexagram. It is good in spring and bad in summer an d
winter .
3. You are not strong enough to keep things from collapsing so yo u
stand back and wait the bad times out .
4. Someone who is obviously a corrupt and exploitive person offer s
to help you, and you smile and say, "No, thanks ."


166 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 16 7

t
i
Yao Tsi (I x ) q

v7 • # * x`0 • 1; ;t • - 1. A second-rater has gotten a post that is so far above his abilities i t
1st Yao . When you pull up a handful of couch grass, you get a handfu l
of sod and roots with it . People are grouped by their common qualities .
Inner perseverance will eventually bring good fortune and success .
Zhan ( ) 3. It is a bad omen for a patient .
1. Some greedy people offer you a chance to make a lot of money ,
but you look at all the harm they are doing, and realize it is better t o
be poor and have more valuable dreams right now .
2. You look for activity and see some people doing something, bu t
when you see one of them close up you know the others must b e
the same and you withdraw because their dreams are not yours .
3. Good-naturedness leads to propitiousness .
2nd Yao . Others will accept and put up with the good person . Thi s
is good fortune for inferior people . But the good man uses the time t o
stay with himself, and it helps him in the long run .
7_4 4. x_ , r , r , w .
is ridiculous . He pushed forward to get it with gusto ; now he see s
in his heart what a fraud he is, and quails .
2. Even in the most dissolute and vicious person has some small weak
realization of how vile and silly he is .
tt,Q9•**•t • := itE• 0
4th Yao . The man who follows the commands of the highest sort act s
without doing blameworthy things. Others of like mind share thi s
quality with him . 0
Zhan ( )
1. The person who nurtured dreams of good things now has to act .
He carries out his dreams in an unselfish way and so does not mak e
mistakes . Those who are drawn to work with him do the same .
2. Instead of following a prearranged personal plan, a person asks
"What is the best for this time?" and acts unselfishly, others wor k
with him .

Zhan (ur ) 3 You are very much accomplished but behaving modestly .

1. An accomplished person is approached by shady characters wh o
want his help to further their schemes during hard times. They use d
to treat him with contempt but now they are very friendly . He
turns them down .
2. A good person looks at some people having hard times and has a n
impulse to help them. They smile and are friendly . But he look s
closer and sees they will not do anything truly constructive to hel p
themselves . So he sees it is better to go his own way and develo p
himself .
3. Do not get involved in a lawsuit .
i~E (? •
3rd Yao . Others are ashamed of themselves but they do not show it
outwardly . 9
5th Yao .Stagnation is ending . This is good fortune for the great person .
"What if it should fail?" he worries, and so ties his success to a cluster
of mulberry shoots .
*5 Zhan(r$ )
1. When some plants are cut down their strong roots send back a
dozen new shoots . The great person worries and looks for something
like this to tie his work to, so an accident or two cannot spoil it .
2. A man who failed in something has a chance to start again . This tim e
he uses all his discernment to find an approach that the times wil l
push to success .
3. One fails to achieve success by a very narrow margin .


1 68 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 1 69

6th Yao . The stagnation is ended . First there is a standstill, then goo d

11
13
fortune . 0
T6 ngren
Zhan( r5 ) Heaven abov e
The person who persevered thru bad times now finds them ended , Fire belo w
1.
and their dreams are still alive . They now reap what they sowed . Fellowshi p
2. Yesterday everything went badly for no apparent reason . No w
everything is fine again .
3. It is a good time to make a great effort to accomplish somethin g
once and for all in order to vaoid future trouble .


1 70 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Thre_ i'he Cradle Of Chinese Culture 17 1

Window of the hexagram n

1. A man holds a document with the Chineese character ,L, meanin g fJ. • HATM• Tt. •
1st Yao . Fellowship with men entering the gate . There is no blame .
"mind" on it . This means being blinded' by greed .
2. A man shooting an arrow into the mountain means advancement ,
Than (di ) a
a high place on the list of people who passed an examination .
3. A deer drinking water, signifies that fame and wealth come in a n
endless flow. 1. One plans to attend a class and meets one's fellow students on th e
way . All work together with good result .
4. A flowing stream means to have the prospect of a successful career .
2. One meets others with the same goal just as one starts a big Prof ct .
Image and Symbo l Later one finds they have become good friends and allies .
3. It is a good omen for going abroad .
IM * • EJ33-
2nd Yao . Fellowship with men in the clan . Humiliation .
The image is a fish in water, a creature "in its own element . "
The symbol is of money being divided between two persons .
Zhan (, T
. L

o Kua Tsi ( o 1. "We must get what we can for ourselves before we think about th e
others" the small group says . They wind up getting nothing .
Atff • • 1iJ kcJII • f» •
2. "Everyone looks out for themselves and we must do the same "
Fellowship is out in the open . This is successful . It is good fortune no w
the small group says . They get caught stealing what belongs to other s
to cross the great water . The perseverance that an advanced person ha s
and go to jail .
acquired will bring success now .
3. Do not wash your dirty linen in public .

Zhan (`= L ) or hints on divinin g

3rd Yao . He hides his weapons in the thick brush and climbs the hig h
hill for a vantage point . For three years he does not rise.
1. This is a January hexagram, it is good in summer and fall .
2. If we change the 5th Yao from Yang to Yin, it becomes a pur e Zhan ( r5 )
hexagram of Fire . So Tongren is a qŭihŭn or soul returned hexagram .
3. A man wants to start a health and exercise club . When he publicize s
1 . The group of people discovers gold . Immediately they all loo k
his plans, he finds a great many people are interested . He
at each other with distrust . There is so much disharmony that mos t
immediately forms the organization and sets in motion advance d
of the riches are lost .
goals that the strong interest makes possible to undertake .
"We all trust each other," everyone says . Then they go home an d
4. There have been many break ins in the neighborhood . People ge t
make plans for destroying the other person if they make a fals e
angry and go to the local government to demand action and to wor k
move . All their energy goes to this and nothing is done .
with officals to do something to correct things . 3 . You will suffer the conquences of your own actions .

w

172 The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 17 3

in a community project and makes the best of it .

4th Yao . He climbs up on his wall, but he can not manage an attack, 2 . A young woman gets a job at a plant and finds all the people ther e
are older and have little in common with her . She sees they are goo d
Good luck .
natured people and so is able to get along with them in a pleasan t
Zhan ( ) and friendly way .
3 . It is difficult to please everybody .
o
1. Two men plan to fight when they meet in a bar, but there are to
many friendly people there and they can not fight with each other .
Later there is a chance of reconcilianon .
2. Husband and wife are both spoiling for a fight but then their littl e
child had an accident, They are so happy he is unharmed the y
forget all about it .
3. The realization of good things is usually preceded by rough goings .

5th Yao . Men who are tied in fellowship first cry and lament, bu t
they wind up laughing, because after great difficulties they succeed i n
getting together . 0

Zhan ( )

1. A couple who met and fell in love on vacation return to their home s
in different parts of the country, and lament . Finally after lengthy
delays they succeed in shifting their jobs and responsiblities aroun d
so they can be together .
2. Two people meet at a party and find they have strong commo n
goals, and they want to go into business together . But each is tie d
down with many responsibilities . It takes a long time, but the y
finally get together and their enterprise prospers .
3. Another's good suggestion, can help one remedy one's own defects .

6th Yao . Fellowship with men in the open field . No disappointment .

Zhan ( )
J
1 . A man moves to a new town and finds the people there have nothin g
in common with him . So he gets to know his neighbors and joins


1 74 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 17 5

Window of the hexagram

.l
f-■U

14
Dayou k
I . A woman releasing the Chi or life-energy from her abdomen means a
Fire above joyful atmosphere .
Heaven belo w 2. A baby seen in the midst of the Chi means to have a twin .
3. The presence of king doctors means that during childbirth, the mos t
Great Possession
highly skilled gynecologist is present .
4. A medicine giving off light ; represents a drug with very high efficacy .
5. A woman accepting the drug means it's good for her .
6. The presence of a dog means this hexagram is good at the time of th e
dog .

Image and Symbo l

The image is one's house filled with riches .

The symbol is of a time as clear as high noon .
C- 0
0
0 Kua Ts i 0
C

Dayou . Possessions on a large seale . The highest success .

( rS ) or hints on divinin g
1. This is a January hexagram ; it is good in spring and winter and ba d
in summer .
2. Dayou is a qŭihŭn or soul returned hexagram, one Yin Yao govern s
five Yang Yaos .
3. A man who has done well at an unimportant job suddenly get s
promoted during an emergency to a job that gives full use to all hi s
best abilities .
4. An artist who could think of nothing good to work on suddenl y
finds himself full of the most advanced creative impulses .
0
Yao Tsi ( r, .z- (ICI )

JJ JL • TI; 3 • l • 'c g iJ


1 76 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 177

1st Yao . A person has no relationship with harmful things . Thus there i s help the poor with his resources and not charge them .
no blame . If you are always aware of possible problems, you go on thi s
way . 4th Yao . A man acts different from his neighbors, and escapes blame .

/flan (L ) Zhan(G$ )

I . A young man is preparing to take on a big job with great responsi-
bilities . He is careful to act well and thinks over all the mistake s
he might get drawn into, so he can avoid them .
2. An ambitious apartment dweller plans to build his own home . He
spends all his free time studying every part of the project with grea t
care .
3. Do not be ignorant and boastful .
2nd Yao . If you have a big wagon for loading things, you can do some -
1. A man gets a new job and finds everyone at the office is showin g
off their status and power . He tries to do his job well and ignor e
being influenced to imitate them .
2. A young man just out of college joins a research firm as a scientist .
The others treat him courteously as an equal but he recognizes h e
is their inferior in experience and is modest and reserved .
3. One needs to abstain from a bad habit such as drug addiction o r
carnal pleasure, completely .
is$ • 1~ -ff= • i 1'Zf • Q

thing . You will have no regrets . 0 5th Yao . A person who offers his powers generously but in a dignifie d
way has good luck .
'-c, a , -r 4 . . r , ..

%han(ŭ )
14,4,
Zhan ( u
r )rI
1. A person who has great talents but no way to use them fo r
something good, suddenly discovers a way of using them in a job . 1. A specialist at a new, well-paying job goes out of his way to offe r
He goes ahead and prospers . his special talents to all who request help . He finds some of hi s
2. A small businessman never sells his product very well . Then he risk s colleagues begin to take him for granted and treat him incon-
putting an advertisement in a newspaper and finds out he has order s siderately . He immediately starts acting more formal and reserved ,
from everywhere . and the rude ones remember their manners .
3. You will be successful in whatever you do . 2. A mother feeds her children snacks generously whenever they want .
4. It is a very bad omen for a patient . She finds they wind up messing up the refrigerator . So she requires
•!~~- ''•'J` A them to sit at the table and say " please, " and their habits improve .
3rd Yao . A prince offers his property to the Son of Heaven . A smal l 3. It is a bad omen for a fatient .
minded man can not do this . ~t • rl 31,E • W • -;1-40 • 0
6th Yao . He is blessed by heaven, and so has good luck . Nothing h e
Zhan( ) undertakes goes patient . O

1. A man has unusual success, so he sacrifices a lot of it to help hi s Zhan ( b )

friends . His next door neighbor hoards all his wealth and falls sic k
from loneliness . 1 . A person achieves great success with the development of his skills .
2. A man has a chance to take advantage of the poor and make a When he thinks of this, he remembers those who gave their energie s
lot of money . His friends tell him to go ahead, but he decides to to teach him and that he should not think all the credit is his . As a


178 The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Cultur e 179

Qian o
result he is always open to help and influence from others and th e
new tasks he tries prosper .

15
2 . A man is proud of his achievements, yet remembers that much of
their substance came from somewhere else . In relations with others
he thinks not only of getting paid well, but of somehow offering t o
Earth abov e
others the chances he had .
Mountain belo w
Modesty


Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 18 1

18 0 The Tao Of I-Ching

Window of the hexagra m

1. The full moon means things will be fair and square .

2. A man riding on a deer means wealth and official rank will both b e
achieved .
3. Three people standing on a disordered pile of silk means endles s
involvement between them .
4. An official holding a mirror means transcending intelligence i n
making a wise judgment .
5. A Chinese character or "fair" is on the document . This mean s
everything will be in order .

Image and Symbol

.. . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. ..
_
r YaoTsi (J'U ŭr$ ) 00
.
0
it,P11fiflW AT 2A
The image is the mountain disappearing into the plane .
1st Yao . A good man who is modest about his life can cross the grea t
The symbol is of hoping to achieve high position but winding up wit h
water . Good luck .
something much less .
0 Zhan r )
o Kua Tsi (E) o
1. An energetic man who "just likes to do good things " happens on a n
opportunity for a huge undertaking that is in his line . He begin s
Qian . Modesty creates success, The good man carries things ou t
immediately and manages to carry it through . People say, "Yo u
thoroughly . must have had great dreams . " "No, " he says, "I just like to d o
interesting things and had a chance to do one . "
Zhan ( c$ ) or hints on divinin g
2. A minority group member is hired for an executive job an d
quickly sees it was done only for appearances . He thinks, so what ,
l . This is a September hexagram . It is good in summer, fall and winter . I have a chance to learn some things, and when he leaves the jo b
2. One Yang Yao governs five Yin Yaos . It is the image of a nude man . several years later he starts a business of his own that surpasses his
3. A man achieves great success, and then he immediately sets out t o former employers .
disperse what he has to enrich others who have too little . People
0
think he is rich, yet no one envies him . 2nd Yao . Modesty that comes to expression naturally . To persever e
4. Two men think of making a great deal of money, but neither eve r with this brings good fortune . 0
thinks of what it is good for . One man fails and is poor, and hi s
whole life is sterile . The other man succeeds and is rich, and hi s
whole life is sterile .

18 2 The Tao Of I-Ching
n_4 4 . x 4 ! . 3 .n,
I
Zhan (c$ )
. i . v . . . r . w ♦ .. .
1. A man sees someone who looks quiet and dour and feels an impuls e
of sympathy for him . He says something good natured to distrac t
him . The person seems to throw off his gloom . Years later th e
person tells him he was about to commit suicide and the interruptio n
jarred him out of it .
2. A man who is down on his luck and feels alienated and bitte r
towards everyone sees someone slip on the icy street and catche s
him before he hurts himself. The rescued person is so warm an d
grateful, the bitter man feels "part of the human race again" and hi s
bad mood is destroyed .
3. You will have an occasional joy because of unexpected good luck .
3rd Yao . A good man of modesty and merit carries things out t o
conclusion . Good luck .
Zhan (iz$ )
1. A new man appears on the scene and his work is so good he rise s
rapidly to prominence . People think "soon he will begin throwing
his weight around like the others ." They find instead he continue s
to be courteous and moderate, and they are eager to help hi m
carry out his work to completion .
2. A man starts an ambitious project and soon finds it is tremendousl y
more difficult than he had thought . He thinks "well, I will just g o
slower and see what I can do, that's all ." After a while his capabilitie s
come into focus and it becomes much easier and he completes th e
project .
3. Do not desire to excel over others, only try to do your best .
4th Yao . There is nothing that does not help modesty in movemen t
and action .
Zhan ( ŭ)
1 . It is good to be like a breeze flowing through a thicket . It opposes
Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 18 3
nothing, always finds the open spaces to move through, and is neve r
halted .
2. A person who makes a lot of hustle and bustle to let people kno w
they are there attracts the trouble-makers while a person who help s
things to flow smoothly cannot be easily found by them .
3. Remember! Pride goes before a fall .
1'-,t It g Cl
5th Yao . It is not time to boast of one's riches to one's neighbor .
It is a time to attack with energy . There is nothing that will not b e
favorable in this .
Zhan ( )r`
1. A man finds himself unjustly opposed . He corrects the situati,, n
vigorously, yet offers no offense beyond this .
2. A man in a store is ignored by the clerk when he wants help . He goe s
and knocks on the manager's door and interrupts him to repeat hi s
request for service .
±7c • 17 rift • aE.
tea.
6th Yao . Modesty comes to expression . It is good to set armies on th e
move to correct one's own city and country .
Zhan( )
1. A man finds people do not treat him with respect . He practice s
expressing himself more clearly, wears better clothes, and goes ou t
and demands respect .
2. An employer gets upset when he notices his workers no longer wor k
efficiently . He looks at himself and notices he's grown lazy an d
careless and spends the whole week improving his own habits .


184 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 18 5

Window of the hexagra m

YU
16 Thunder abov e
Earth belo w
Joy
1. Double mountain ranges . This means the Chinese character kh o r
"out" . The character is formed of two 11 .1 or mountains.
2. An official steals a glance from behind a cliff . This means a time t o
find what one has been looking for .
3. A deer and a horse mean good fortune .
4. Ingots of gold and silver, piles of coins . Coins mean wealth and
riches. This is a very lucky omen .

Image and Symbo l

Not. t. 1.Z* •
The image is a fine son born of a fine father .
The symbol is all things starting to sprout .

o Kua Tsi ( T_ o
-
FIR
Yŭ . It is a time to obtain helpers, and set armies to marching . •

((~ Zhan ( r$ ) r°] or hints on divining

1. This is a May hexagram . It is good in summer and fall, bad in

winter .
2. The 4th Yang Yao governs five Yin Yaos, it is a Yang hexagram .
3. You find a community project that needs doing and when you tal k
to others about it, everyone agrees . It succeeds .
r--
0 Yao Tsi(1 ŭ)
G-~ V

1st Yao . Yŭ that is expressed too much brings poor fortune .

Zhan ( r )

1 . You talk about your wonderful ideas, but when others want to


186 The Tao Of 1-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 18 7

say they agree and see some action, you just go on talking . They ge t
disgusted and leave . Nothing happens. 5th Yao . A person is ill and fatigned, yet does not die .
2. You have a good idea and others agree, but you talk about ho w
wonderful it is so much, they get bored and lose interest . ti Zhan ( )
3. You are unable to do what you wish .
A i•T0H• k a 1. You know you don't have the energy to act and feel oppressed a t
2nd Yao. He is as steady as a stone . Not a whole day passes . Per - having to hold back, until you look and see someone who rashl y
severance is good luck . went ahead end in failure . Then you see that your enforced waitin g
1'Z.A n .4x1>c4 x 4,, 4 is wise .
Zhai ( 4 c$4 ) • 2. The greater loss one suffers, the greater fortune one will amass .
~.
3. Long illness makes the patient a good doctor .
1. Instead of throwing away your energy moving blindly, you watc h
circumstances and act only when the times are right . 6th Yao . He is deluded by enthusiasm . But if he can change when h e
2. One should constantly make improvements guiding himself with a comes to see this, there is nothing serious lost . •
new apprasisal of his achievements every now and then .
A .1-: • !ffc • 'P-f Zhan ( )
3rd Yao . Yu that only looks upward brings disappointment . He wh o
hesitates is lost . 1 . You meet some friends with wonderful plans and think you wil l
all have a great time doing things . Then you find they are all "warm
Zhan (r$ ) weather warriors" and it's all nonsense . You feel upset, but yo u
realize you still have energy to go on looking for good things .
1 . The plans of another person inspire you no end, but you fail to joi n 2 . Your plan is like trying to recover a needle from the bottom of th e
the group in time, and get nowhere . sea.
2 . The demand exceeds the supply . 3 . If you abandon yourself to your passions, you will wind in a socia l
3 . Relying upon oneself is better than relying upon others . position way below where you are now .

4th Yao . You are the source of enthusiasm and can achieve success .
Do not doubt yourself. You gather supporters around you the way a
hair clasp holds hair together . O

0a Zhan (G$ )

1. You have the vision to see that you and your friends have what i t
takes to do the job . Because of your sureness and clarity, everyon e
feels confident and works hard .
2. You will take the right steps and make quick progress .
3. You suffer disgrace in order to accomplish your high-minded task .


188 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 18 9

n Window of the hexagra m

17
Su P 1. A snow goose brings a message through the clouds . This means
Lake above having good sources of information .
Thunder belo w 2. A pile of coins means riches .
3. A man sits inside of the red gates . This means being in authority .
Followin g 4. A person stands outside the red gates . This means to seek fame an d
wealth .

Image and Symbo l

lsc • Itn*#* •
The image is one of skilled craftsman cutting and polishing a piece o f
jade .
The symbol is that of using a log to push a car .
0
Kua Tsi (3C f qq
0 q

• 764- • 5E14 .
Sui or. Following will have the greatest success . Persistence is advisable .
Do what is blameless.

Zhan ( rS ) or hints on divinin g

1. This is a July hexagram . It is good in summer and winter, an d

bad in fall .
2. If we change the 5th Yao from Yang to Yin, the Sui becomes a pur e
or Chin hexagram 51 Zhen or Thunder .
3. You join a group with a strong leader . You find the demands
everyone has to meet to keep the good plans working out are ver y
rigorous . When success comes you realize this was important an d
worth it .
q
Yao Tsi ()l o

V / L . • E1 * (gSt • tli I J
l~ a • x4 V)
First Yao . Standards are always changing . Persistence brings good luck .

1 90 The Tao Of I-Ching
To go out through the door and find company leads to actions . 0
Zhan ( ) E
1. You find your followers losing interest . You go out and circulat e
among them and find only their personal aims shifted somewhat an d
they're ready to follow when you adapt plans to their aims .
2. The methods used may vary, but the principle is the same .
3. A great man knows how to ride the tide of his time .
2nd Yao . She stays with a young fellow, and loses her husband . •
r-,A s44 x4-x4 ' 4 -
Zhan ( ) Zhan (
'T.• x vX-4 n x ,4 x41J
1. You stay with a group of nice people who really don't have an y
clear plans . Later you meet someone from a group that is cleare r
minded and more active and find out how much you've lost out .
2. One is unable to make up one's mind as to which of two disivabl e
things to choose .
3. Do not be tempted by small gains and suffer a big loss .
3rd Yao. If she follows her husband, she keeps away from that youn g
fellow . She finds what she wants through following . It is good idea t o
persevere . 0
Zhan (ŭ )
__ _
1. You join a group that is working hard and doing great things, an d
notice that you now see your old friends less and less and feel sad .
Then you realize your life is improving because of your new initia-
tives .
2. You want something and succeed in getting just that .
3. Always try to criticize yourself so that everything will becom e
perfect .
4th Yao. Following is successful . Persistence brings bad luck . But t o
guide oneself with sincerity creates a clear mind . How could there b e
anything wrong with this?
Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 191
Zhan(r$ )
1. Things go well . Then, when you continue further, they fail . You
look over your actions and feelings and find you haven't kept up th e
best standards and were selfish . Though you take losses in process ,
you straighten things out, and then feel better .
2. Don't be too complacent about your own manners .
3. To follow what is right is like climbing a very s, : 'n slope .
5th Yao . You follow goodness with sincerity . Good luck . 0
)
1. You have ambitious plans for the day, then you see someone wh o
can use some help and you give up your plans so you can help . Th e
other person is happy and you feel you've done somethin g
worthwhile .
2. One has to choose what is good and right and stick to it .
3. One has to decide what should be done first .
6th Yao . He meets with a loyal follower, and is brought back into the
group . The king presents him to the Western Mountain . 0
Zhan ( c3 )
1. You leave a group to go on your own, but one of them who under -
stands you comes and convinces you to rejoin . Everyone benefit s
and your contribution is rewarded .
2. Get off to a new start ; come out of your shell .
3. Happy events will soon take place in your home .


Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 19 3

1 92 The Tao Of I-Ching

n
Window of the hexagra
m n
G'
18
1. A child sits on a cloud . One day your son will be like a dragon .
2. A snow goose holds a letter in its beak. Good news .
Mountain above 3. A deer . Official rank is indicated .
Wind below 4. A coin. Wealth .
Decay 5. A man and woman hold their hands together and bow to eac h
other. This means congratulations is offered . But th i
of mixed fortunes . Only if one can be alert and wary of one' s
situation is it good .

Image and Symbol

_ rtf ;M•NETX AQ -

The image is of three vampires sucking blood.

The symbol is that an evil situation cannot go on forever .
DQU
Kua Tsi ( C 1 - E)(k ) 0

•~J JII •Sick'- F] ~= El •

Gŭ or Decay . There is supreme success possible . It is a time to cross th e
great water . Before you start, three days pass and after you start anothe r
three days pass .

= Zhan ( i ► ) , nl or hints on divining

1. This is a January hexagram, it is good in summer, bad in fall an d

worst in winter .
2. If we change the 5th Yao Yin to Yang, Gu becomes a Chdn or pur e
hexagram 57 Sun. So Gu is a Qŭihŭn or soul returned hexagram .
If you get this hexagram, and feel even a little uncomfortable, th e
best thing to do is going to your doctor to find out what i s
happening .
3. Things are run down and going to pieces . You make up a plan t o
regenerate things, and throw yourself into it with complete dedica-
tion, and succeed .
4. You decide you 're dissatisfied because your life is "run down " and


194 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 19 5

make a master plan to renovate everything . You succeed . 2. You have little resources to do as much as you wish .
--) 3. Many possibilities are open to you, just work a little harder .
o~ YaoTsi(~ŭP) o

4th Yao. To tolerate what is spoiled by the father . To continue Wit h

A • 2.4 • 3 ' ' • M4 • .
q. this guarantees humiliation. •
1st Yao . It is a time to correct what has been neglected by the father .
If there is a son to do this, no blame comes to the father . Danger . '°) Zhan(c$ )
Eventually good fortune .
1. You notice the furnace making a funny noise now and then and yo u
Zhan ( t5 ) think `it can't amount to anything serious .' Then in the middle o f
the night, it blows up and fills the house with smoke .
1. You join a group only to find its former high achievements an d 2. You notice your car seems to drive a little irregularly, ignore it .
ideals have regenerated . You set about rebuilding them energetically , The next day it breaks down completely in the middle of rus h
and in the end everyone is happy . hour .
2. One should correct one's faults once one is aware of them . 3. How dangerous is the world where temptations lurk everywhere .
3. Do not withdraw or quit after learning of the difficulties involved .
5th Yao . To correct what has been spoiled by the father . One is praised .
2nd Yao. In setting right what has been spoiled by the other, yo u
must not be too persistent . ti Zhan ( )
~•x .x•xr4
'
~
Zha n 11 1. The used car you buy turns out to be a lemon and you have n o
.•Y yx .N +~ 4 x.•x+
.~ ' .

1. You find yourself in a group that has kept its high standards, but ha s
grown weak and feeble through lack of spirit . You stir things u p
again, but you're careful not to push people so hard they can't kee p
up .
2. A wise mother would do everything for the healthly growth of he r
childern .
3. You cannot accomplish the task without help .
money for anything better . You go over it with a fine tooth com b
and find lot of things and fix them . After that it runs like a new car .
2. The more the supporters, the greater the achievements of a leader .
3. This is a very bad omen for a patient .
6th Yao . He does not serve either king or lord . He has higher goals .
Zhan ( GS )

3rd Yao . In correcting what has been spoiled by the father, ther e
will be some bad feelings, but nothing very serious .
Zhan (r$ )
In your new job as supervisor you reorganize the whole departmen t
and for a while most people are worried and angry . Then the ne w
standards beein to improve things for everyone, and it's all forgotten .
1. You give up a chance for big money as a talented commercial artist
and devote yourself to pure creation . Years later your work is
acclaimed as a pace setter for new developments .
2 . Get your mind set in the groove it should follow .
3 . It's better to sacrifice the few for the benefit of the majority .


1 96 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 1 97

19
Window of the hexagram
Li n
1. A woman flies with the wind . This means one may receive wealth a s
Earth abov e the result of a relationship with a woman .
Lake below 2. A flag flies from a car . The flag is a token of authority .
Approach 3. A man on a hilltop . This means being in a dangerous position .
4. A tiger sits at the foot of a mountain . This is a warning to, take
precautions against calamity .
5. A small box . A token that one should cooperate harmoniously .
6. A man shoots an arrow at a tiger . This means to remain attached
to an influential person .

Image and Symbo l

NA 2J•Nk T
The image is a phoenix standing among chickens .
The symbol is standing on a high mountain and viewing the valley below .

1 Kua Tsi (3C )

•~iJ • TAA IJ
Lin or Approach has the highest success . It is a time to persevere .
By the eighth month, there will be misfortune .

/,han ( r$) or hints on diving

1. This is a December hexagram . It is good in fall and winter, ba d

in summer .
2. You hear it will be a good year for gardeners . You plant a hug e
garden and work it thoroughly and by the time fall rolls around yo u
have food for the winter .
3. You sense in your business that people are beginning to go for a
certain product . You lay in a large supply and at the height of th e
product 's popularity everyone comes to you b°cause they don 't hav e
to wait for delivery .


1 98 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 19 9

0 Yao Tsi ( x t ) 0
0 Zhan (ri)
J
~IJJL •IgZ ~~ • R n • O 1. You have developed your talents thoroughly in the past, an d
1st Yao. Joint approach . Perseverance is good luck . Everythin g someone who realizes their value hires you for a demanding job tha t
favorable . 0 you are able to do well.
2. You suffer a loss in one place but make a gain somewhere else .
E
Zhan ( ur ) 3. Your lost items are found by others and kept for claimant you .
i~~ ape° ~~"~~ ~ • O
1. You want to make your home solar heated and find it is the curren t 5th Yao . Wise approach . This is for a great prince . Good luck . O
fad . You find everything you need easily and help others with th e
same ideas . Zhan (rS )
2. Love makes one blind to all imperfections .
3. You have already had a sweetheart in you mind . 1. Though you're fussy, you leave the people you hired alone instead o f
p~ constantly bothering them . As a result, they do superior work .
2nd Yao . Joint approach . Good luck . Everything favorable . 0 2. It is easier to do a thing than to know the reason why .
rtA"x •__4,4 4x •

Zha n 6th Yao . Your approach is greathearted . Good luck . No flaws . 0

t 4 x x♦ x4x.Ix •i
1. The government announces a limited program to help peopl e Zhan ( r$ )
renovate their homes . You sign up immediately, and are able to d o
a thorough job . 1. You see the group you once led has fallen on bad times, and yo u
2. You and your partner share the same aspirations and have the sam e decide to return to it for awhile to straighten things out . Everyon e
temperament . benefits .
3. You should make a quick decision when an opportunity offers itself . 2. You have to be upright in character and diligent in the pursuit o f
A= • • 1r~c *0 • M4. • • knowledge .
3rd Yao. A comfortable approach. Nothing is favorable . If one worrie s 3. The best thing to do is to keep that person at a respectful distance .
over it, there are no faults . .

Zhan(c$ )

1. You find success has been so strong you no longer pay attention t o
doing your work well . Shocked, you regain your old standards ,
and there are no troubles .
2. Plots or evil deeds will be exposed sooner or later .
3. You do not practice what you preach .

4th Yao . Complete approach . There is nothing to blame. 0



200 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 201

Liu
n Window of the hexagram

Gua n I . Both sun and moon are in the sky . This means the benefits of one' s
Wind abov e
20 = Earth below
achievements reach far and wide .
2. An official stands beside an incense table . This means to advance in
rank .
Observation
3. A deer on the mountain means promotion.
4. A god wearing golden armor means to ride the high tide of goo d
luck
5. An official seal and a weighing scale . This is a good omen .

Image and Symbo l

The image is that a clear blue sky is suddenly covered with clouds .
The symbol is all kinds of spring flowers in full bloom .

KuaTsi (SC=E )

• M MIT • * "rte. i •
Giian . The ablution is done and the offering not yet made . People loo k
up to him with great trust .

Zhan(• i r$ ), nl or hints on divining

1. This is an August hexagram . It is good in fall, and bad in summe r

and winter .
2. To push oneself ahead by depriving oneself of all daily comfort an d
subjecting oneself to hardships.
3. The engaged couple and their friends go through the weddin g
rehearsal the day before the big event . As they do so, the calmnes s
and orderliness of the preacher makes them feel at ease an d
confident .
q qq
YaoTsiON . ) O
U


202 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 203

1st Yao . Childlike observation . For to Wly people this is all right , blame . O
but for a leader this is a disgrace .
Zhan (G$ )
Zhan ( u
r )
1. Where whole-hearted dedication is directed, the whole world wil l
1. You should not content yourself with a thoughtless view of th e step aside to let you by .
prevailing forces . 2. It is impossible to predict who will be the winner .
2. You have to gain something from a rare opportunity . 3. The truth comes to light eventually .
3. It is as a man with a little learning in the presence of a great scholar .
6th Yao . Observation of his life . The superior man is without blame .
2nd Yao . Take a peep through the door . This is all right for a woman .
x ♦
Zhan ( r$ )
171 ,- cfl 1 It • - It •

Zhan ( G$ )
4 rx4x 4 x1 r1 .1
1. One should think of the time of peril at the time of peace .
1. One who avoids seeing trouble does not have to worry about trouble . 2. Kind deeds pay rich dividends to the doer .
2. Don't criticize the others when you cannot do equal or better . 3. You have to gather his or her frame of mind through his other word s
3. You think that is a secret, but it never has been one . and expressions .

3rd Yao . Observation of one's own life. Learn by observing why an d

when you advance or retreat . i

Zhan( )

1. There is a prospect of a thrilling time ahead for you .

2. To remeber past errors insures against repetition of the same error .
3. When things are at their worst, they will surely mend .

4th Yao . Observation of the glory of the kingdom . The king's invitatio n
will be profitable for him . 0

Zhan(c5) i D

1. The financial situation is getting worse, but you may have som e
unexpected income .
2. You have to learn the truth after investigation .
3. Time and patience beget success .

5th Yao . Observation of one's own life . The superior man is without


20 4 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 20 5

[ .
sj
I Window of the hexagram

Heshi Q3 p 1. The Big Dipper . This is an omen of disaster .

21 Fire above
Thunder belo w
2. A woman offers incense kneeling and worshipping . This is a for m
of sacrifice performed to exercise evil spirits and had influences .
3. Half of the Chinese character which means "worry" . This mean s
Bite Through that the worry goes away .
4. A Chinese character -- means happiness .
5. Two snow geese eating the tassel of a rice plant, a coin, and tw o
deer in combination mean a situation that is very gratifying an d
satisfactory .

Image and Symbo l

The image is to do business during the midday .

The symbol is the existence of something between the jaws .
0 0
0 Kua Tsi ( 0
3, Ni ' 0

° 1` ;
Biting through has success . To put people in jail is profitable .

7.ha n or hints on diriairt r

-EL .

1 . This is a September hexagram, it is good in summer bad in spring ,

fall and dying in winter .


r
206 The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 20 7

2 . The above illustration shows how the mouth biting somethin g

duplicates the hexagram .
3 . One does not realize the difficulty of an undertaking unless one ha s
rb Zhan (a )sr.. rat

experienced it before . 1 . You see some juveniles interfering with your neighbor 's car and cal l
0
g Yao Tsi (I 0
the police . You go out to confront them and as the police take the m
away they shout vicious insults at you .
2 . Don't adopt measures begond reasonable comprehension .
His feet are put in the stock and you can't see his toes . There 3 . If you do so, it is similar to holding a sword at the wrong end ; you
1st Yao .
is no blame . • will relegate your power to a subordinate unwisely and suffer th e
consequences .
~tP9 • 1 q", •T•i iJ • • O
Zhan (G5 )
4th Yao . He bites on dried, tough meat, and gets metal arrows . It is
important to be wary of hazards and to persevere . Good luck . 0
1 . You have goad Workers, but they gossip too much and don't get the
work done . You take them aside and say, "now look, talk at home ,
the work must get done ." After that they regulate themselves, an d
Zhan (E )
there is no problem .
1 . You find out local officials are taking bribes to falsify a buildin g
2 . It is dangerous to hold on to wrong beliefs obstinately .
permit near your home . You collect information and get highe r
3 . You have to observe all rules and regulations, otherwise you wil l
authorities to investigate , being careful so the officials don't tur n
meet troubles.
their power against you .
2 . Clever birds choose their trees when they nest, which means tha t
2nd Yao . He bites through tender meat so far his nose disappears .
capable men should choose the right place to serve .
Nothing to blame .
3 . Expert craftsmanship is the result of long practise and hard work .
RA ♦ x , - 4 ,, 4 w ,

IZhan (~$ )
. r r 4 K , -a~ He bites on dried meat . He receives yellow gold . He i s
5th Yao .
constantly wary of danger . There is no blame . 0
1. You catch an employee stealing some goods and fire him immediatel y
with a great deal of angry shouting . It was basically the right thin g
Zhan ( t )
to d o
2. In this situation, you can act as circumstances may require withou t
1. You find some juveniles stealing . Since they have a responsible
asking for approval from superiors .
background, you want them to have a chance to correct themselves ,
3. You have done nothing to make you feel shameful .
but realize if you just let them go, this won't happen . Finally ,
instead of calling the police, you call their parents .
3rd Yon. He bites on old dried meat and hits something decayed . There
2. As water comes, it forms a channel automatically, which mean s
is slight humiliation . Nothing to blame .
that the thing takes care of itself .
3. The real value of things lies in what they are made of, not what the y
appear to be .


208 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 20 9

_EA• INK 4•u••

6th Yao . His neck is locked in the instrument of torture, we canno t
see his ears . Bad luck . 0 Pe n
22
—
Zhan ( c5 ) Mountain above
Fire belo w
1. You talk to a careless employee privately about doing better work , Grace
and the next thing you know he is telling lies about you to others an d
making them confused and anxious . You wait for him to make som e
open blunder, and fire him .
2. Your car breaks down and you are stranded for three hours . You
fail to get the repairs done that the mechanic recommends, an d
the next day the wheel collapses and you crash into a pole .
3. It is very stupid to do things like that .


210 The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 21 1

n
LJ L•J Zhan ( ii )
Window of the hexagra m

Raining means to freshen and purify . I . A fellow at work offers to take you to lunch at a posh restuaran t
1 .
2. A car is being pushed . This means promotion . in his new sports car, but you know this is way beyond his means ,
3. A boat in full sail means doing a job that is made easy by outsid e you decline and go to the diner across the street .
2. Who knows it isn't a blessing in disguise '
help .
3. You can enjoy peace and stability both physically and spiritually .
4. An official in uniform is climbing a ladder . This means gettin g
promoted step by setp . i~-•ft A
2nd Yao . He gives grace to the beard on his chin .
5. A fairy holding a sweet osmanthus plant is standing on the clouds .
This represents a maiden first falling in love . R♦ r . ♦ ,' ♦ i • r

~ ._ . Zhan ( )
♦ ♦ r• ♦ r . r• .■-.,
Image andiSymbol
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .
1 You spend all your money on appearances, and neglect mor e
important developments .
2. You should perform the task with full vigor and a sense of urgency .
The image is a ferocious tiger leaning against a rock .
The symbol is of shining in all directions . 3. Don't put the cart before the horse .
/i.=•00MIifl• 7 R ; • 0
Kua Tsi ( ')-(f k 0 3rd Yao . Graceful and moist . Continuous perseverance will bring yo u
0
~.1 good fortune . O

than (c5 )
Pen is successful in small matters . Itis good to do something .

((~?? /han ( I . On your vacation to a tropical island you find things are s o
G$ ) or hints on divinin g
comfortable and easy that your have to take long walks every day t o
1 . This is a November hexagram . It is good in winter, bad in summer . keep from just sitting around and drinking too much .
2. You and your spouse can't afford to buy a house . So you spen d 2. You will surpass others by showing your ability and talents .
some money and a lot of time and completely renovate your apart - 3. You do the right thing to cope with a new situation .
ment . It looks so good you forget you were ever dissatisfied with it . 7 V. I p e s_ N to • E
tIp • 1 .

4th Yao . Fancy grace or simplicity, which is better? A white hors e

3. It looks pretty outside, but inside it is not good .
comes on wings . He is not a robber, he will woo at the right time .
C-
Yao Tsi (J1 ŭ 7 )

rkc than (r3)

f '?fit
• fAk •
1 . At the furnitur e showroom you find yourself gloating over the fancy ,
1st Yao . Pen or grace to his toes, leaves the carriage, and travels on foot .
high cost furniture . Reluctantly you finally choose some inexpensiv e
furniture that is simple and beautiful . Later you realize the fanc y
furniture would have made you feel uncomfortable .


Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Cultur e 213

212 The Tao Of I-Chin g

2. Have you heard the Chinese saying sophistry that a white horse i s

Bao ~
not entirely the same as a horse? Why ?
3. Good fortune that comes late in one's life after a long spell of ba d

23
times .
• • i( Q • 0 Mountain above
i~ ~ • Ti .E l§l
5th Yao . Grace in the hills and the gardens . The roll of silk is poor an d Earth below
small, you're humiliated by it . But eventually there is good fortune . 0 Peeling

Zhan ( )

] .You come from the luxurious urban city and get a poor job in th e
country that you like better . You feel bad that you can ' t put on a
grand show for your new friends, but later you realize you are al l
happier living simply .
2. What you hoped to develop with your sweetheart has come to pass .
3. Human fortunes are as unpredictable as the weather .
_E .° •mo d
6th Yao . With white grace . Nothing to blame .

N Zhan ( ci )

1. You see a person who has outstanding achievements which you

admire . The person seems impressive . Later you try to remembe r
what clothes be was wearing, and ca n ' t remember, because they wer e
the most ordinary street clothes .
2. One who seeks truth is apt to get lost when confronted with to o
many choices .
3. You can perform the task to perfection .


214 The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 21 5

4 . You wind up laid off your job, lose your sweetheart, and everythin g
Window of the hexagra m else goes wrong . So you live quietly and are content simply to b e
■
n ■ alive .
1. A woman is sitting on the bed . This may mean trouble involvin g
sex . o Yao Tsi( w`x•?') 0
(1 -
2. A lighted candle is flickering in the breeze . This means something
cannot last too long . VA . V141), . . RAVI .
3. A bottle-gourd or calabash . These are used for medicine, and sugges t 1st Yao . The leg of the bed is split . People who persist are destroyed .
sickness . Bad luck . •
4. An official is sitting on the mountain top . This can mean retire-
ment, or it can mean a situation getting worse and worse . Zhan ( Li )
5. A disordered bundle is tied with silk . This means a situation that i s
difficult to resolve or to keep from causing problems and embarrass- 1. The good cause you worked for founders, and exploitive peopl e
ment. rush forward to take advantage of it .
2. You should keep all the good and get rid of the bad .
Image and Symbo l 3 You have to stop just before commiting a serious blunder .
.~•11 1 ; • > U• •
2nd Yao . The bed is split where its leg is joined to the platform .
The image is to replace the old with the new . People who persevere are destroyed . Bad luck . •
The symbol is when things are at their worst, they will surely begin t o rta 4-X4 x 4 x4 x •
improve . •Zhan (•• )• T
I
0 0
0 Kua Tsi ( ) 0 1 . The park where you went to relax is the scene of a riot . Your friend s
G—' are scattered . You hide behind a tree to avoid sticks and stones .
• 21''4 1 A'1k tt
l
2 . You will draw criticism at every turn .
Bao or peeling . Not a time to go anywhere . 3 . The situation is unfavorable .
2= •
Zhan ( ) or hints on divining 3rd Yao. He breaks off with them . There is no blame .

1 . This is a September hexagram . It is very good in Spring, bad i n Zhan (L )

Fall and Winter .
2. Five Yin Yaos grow up from the bottom, driving away Yang Yao a t
the top . This means the situation is getting worse and worse .
3. Bao or peeling is a Yang hexagram, It can mean a man with fiv e
women in his life . On the one hand, this hexagram means being a
"ladies' man" and living a luxurous and sensuous life . On the othe r
hand, it means you dissipate your energy carousing and destroyin g
yourself .
1. You find the superficial friends you were associating with are heade d
into some illegal enterprise . They grumble when you leave them ,
and you avoid getting-involved in wrong-doing .
2. Do not follow the bad example of others .
3. You have to make proper use of both kindness and strictness i n
dealing with subordinates .


216 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 21 7

e
Fŭ 7
4th Yao . The bad mattress is peeling . Bad luck .

24
Zhan ( )
Earth abov e
1. You wake up in the middle of the night to hear someone rifling you r Thunder belo w
room in the dark . Scared out of your wits, you remain frozen i n
Return
terror till the thief leaves .
2. Do not profit yourself at the expense of others .
3. Men of talent and health may decay faster, if they do not take car e
of themselves .

5th Yao . Like a school of fishes. Good favor comes through the ladies
of the court . Everything is good . 0

Zhan ( r$ )

1. Impressed by the strength of your character as a police officer, th e

head of the local juvenile gang seeks you out for advice, and you ge t
them involved in a positive activity that keeps them out of trouble .
2. If one thrives in calamity, then one can enjoy soft living when old .
3. A wise man knows when he is beaten and when to retreat .

6th Yao . A large fruit is left uneaten . The better man gets a carriage .
The house of the bad man is split apart .

Zhan ( $ )

1. The corruption of the small town police force comes to an end wit h
one lieutenant left out . The town council makes him chief, an d
the others are indicted for accepting bribes .
2. The image is of falling from a high place .
3. You will again take up offical duties .


218 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 21 9

u
something with it .
Window of the
hexagra m n q
0 YaoTsi(x is? )
q
0

1. An official sitting in the car means to have an overseas or ver y

distant assignment . J1fL• 43A&3E q• O
2. There are two flags flying from the car . This means succeeding i n 1st Yao . You return from a short distance . There is no need to fee l
one's first attempt . chagrin . Great good luck . 0
3. There is the Chinese character meaning East on the gateway .
In the East one generally finds a job and friends. Zhan ( )
4. A l,eneral holds a sword with a very long blade . This means prestig e
an o influence. 1 . Your boss is rude and unfair and you begin to think of pilfering .
5 . A tiger and a rabbit . This is good fortune when it relates to the hour , You wake up and realize this is completely stupid . You feel so goo d
day, month or year of the tiger or of the rabbit . the next day you are offered a new job .
2 . You have already made careful planning for what you are doing .
Image and Symbol 3 . You always help fulfil another's cherished hopes .
{}}
• YID • a • O

f3'1J • & j 3K2.* - 2nd Yao . You return quietly . Good luck . 0
The image is of gold that has been prospected from the sand of a stream . rc . x 4x4 x 4'X 4 x 4

The symbol is of repeated coming and going .

t Zhan ( ) II
4r_ . , x4x,1J

q
Kua Tsi ( ) 0
• • WA • ~3fi~3E • 1xaAM - E13Ka fl.14tC(I • 0
Return is successful . Coming and going without problems . Friend s
visit without being blamed . The way goes to and fro . On the sevent h
day return comes . It is a time to have something to do . 0
((~~ Zhan ( ur ) or hints on divinin g
1. This is a November hexagram, it is good in fall, winter and bad i n
summer .
2. One Yang Yao governs five Yin Yaos, so Fu or return is a Yan g
hexagram . One Yang is located on 1st Yao which means Yang wil l
start to grow and drive away all five Yin Yaos . The situation will b e
better and better .
3. After a long siege of progressive bad luck that wore you down t o
nothing, it seems to be exhausted and your week of darkness is over .
An opportunity has appeared, and you are already working on doing
1. During the holidays you caroused so much you began to get ru n
down and dissipated . Now you realize you'd better pull yoursel f
together . After a few days of this you feel your old self again .
2. You know exactly what is right and what is wrong .
3. Spring returns to the good earth, everything will be going smoothl y
3rd Yao . Repeated Fŭ or return . Hazardous . Nothing to blame.
Zhan ( )
1. You lose fourty pounds overweight, then gain it back, then start over .
The constant back and forth is more of a strain than bein g
overweight, but in the long run maybe you have a chance .
2. Don' t act without regard for the consequences .
3. You are an individual interested in forward trust and the future .
4th Yao . Walking surrounded by others, you return alone .


220 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 221

Zhan(d$)

1. Your friends all have bad habits, but you have a vision that ther e
W ŭwa ng 3=
~..

it something better and you begin seeking it out .

2. One person cannot handle all the tasks by oneself .
3. You should take a distinctive course or attitude of your own .
25 Heaven abov e
Thunder belo w
Innocence
X.•-Std• • O
5th Yao . Noblehearted return . Nothing to feel bad about . Q

Zhan ( r$))

1. You realize you were rude and unfair to another just because ther e
were unimportant superficial differences . You apologize and chang e
your behaviour .
2. Three years hard work is crowned with success .
3. Think thrice before you act .

6th Yao . Missing return . Bad luck . Bad luck inside and outside . I f
you set armies going this way, you will finally suffer a complete defeat ,
disastrous for the ruler of the country . For ten years you won't be abl e
to attack again . 0

Zhan ( GS )

1 . You know you have the right idea, and your opponents have inferio r
notions . A chance comes to make some peace and work togethe r
with them . It never occurs to you this might evolve to somethin g
favoring the good you know about . You keep fighting instead an d
finally get totally defeated . It's a long time before you can figh t
for the "right" again .
2. There is no compromise between the contending factions .
3. It is not a good time to poke your nose into others business .


222 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 22 3

Window
of the hexagra m n Zhan ( )

1. An official shoots an arrow at a deer . This means one will b e
promoted soon .
2. A deer holds a document in its mouth . This means something tha t
is accomplished quickly .
3. A pile of coins in the water . This means wealth that can be see n
but not obtained .
4. A rat or a pig . This means good fortune relating to the hour, day ,
month or year of the rat or the pig .
1. You feel a direct impulse to do something good, and it works ou t
perfectly .
2. Let nature take its course .
3. Be conservative, cautious and practical .
2nd Yao . If you do not think about the harvest while you are plowin g
the ground, nor about how you will use the land while you are clearin g
it from forest, it is worth doing something .
rc-4 x4",4 4 -x_4 x 4

(? " Image and Symbo l Zhan ($ )

. f . Y 4 x.4 ..4 x 4

I . You study the first lesson of your new course of study with good
The image is that of a precious jewel concealed inside of a stone . attention to it, while your friend who can only think of the reward s
The symbol is reluctance to accept changes that are not what the y of graduation cannot concentrate or learn .
appear to be . 2 . You will enjoy good health and financial independence .
nr
Kua Tsi ) 0
3rd Yao . Undeserved bad luck . The cow that was tied to graze is the
wandering person 's gain and the working man ' s loss. •

Innocence brings supreme success . It is good to persevere . If someon e Zhan ( t i )

is not he should be, he has bad luck, and it doesn't help to be active .
1 . You leave the keys in your car, and the neighborhood delinquent s
Zhan ( ur ) or hints on divining take it for a joy ride and burn out the engine .
2 . There would have been no story to tell or circumstance if not fo r
1 . This is a February hexagram, it is good in spring and winter ; and ba d a chance accurence .
in fall . .
3 You may have an unexpected misfortune .
2 . You will inherit some money or a small piece of land . R
4th Yao . A person who can be persevering will remain without blame .
0
0 0
0 YaoTsi() 0
C— -
" ; Zhan (c$ )

1st Yao. Innocent acts bring good luck . 1. Everyone tries to tell you to go this way and go that way but you
follow an inner sense of the right way to develop yourself and th e
result is you don ' t make serious mistakes .
2 . Leave your boat and travel on firm ground .


2 24 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 22 5

3 . There is true and sincere friendship between you .

jl.~ • ~~~ i~c • ~1J~J~• ~
Dax ŭ
26"
5th Yao . Don't take medicines for an illness that doesn't come fro m
your own faults . It will pass away . •
Mountain above
Zhan ( ) Heaven below
Great Saving
I . You feel lightheaded and shaky and fear the worst . Your docto r
tells you its a new kind of flu making the rounds and to go hom e
and sleep it off for a day .
2. You will suffer a setback in trying to take advantage of a situation .
3. If you feel in poor health, don't go to a quack or an unexperienc e
doctor . Sometimes, their treatment or suggestions will give yo u
more trouble .

6th Yao . Innocent action brings bad luck . It is not a time to act . .

Zhan ( ~$ )

1. You see the ice is too thin here and know it will be thicke r
downstream, but somehow this knowledge escapes you and yo u
cheerfully walk out into the middle of the stream and to you r
surprise crash through the ice .
2. Weather turns foul when some activity requiring fine weather i s
scheduled to take place .
3. A slight mistake will result in a great error in the end .


226 The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 227

Window of the hexagra m Zhan ( r$ )

1 . A deer and a horse . This means something very gratifying and 1 . You're all set to cross the stream, and you see the ice is thin . ,Yo u
satisfactory . wait quietly for your chance .
2 . A document lighted by the moon . This means to pass an examina - 2 . A moment's distraction by pleasures can bring endless sufferings t o
tion very easily . come .
3. An official leans upon the railing . Freedom from restraint . 3 . He who is in comfortable circumstance knows not the bitterness
4. The flowers are pushing through the railing. This means a good of misfortune .
omen for finding a job, trying to do business or making money . JL - W 1}R

2nd Yao . The axles are taken from the wagon .

Image and Symbo l
Zhan( ) -1J
4 r, -4

EM • M/JNl t Z*
The image is of a dragon hidden in a solitary glen . 1 . You are all set for a week vacation of skiing, but the weatherma n
The symbol is that accumulation of small particles results in a mountain . says there will be no snow . You cancel your vacation so you ca n
take it later on .
KuaTsi (EZ) 0 2 It is a good idea to retreat as far as possible in the face of a stron g
.
0
C contestant .
•Jla•4■ *1% • •fJII I 3 . It is better to seek what is less attractive than your original objective .
Daxŭ or Great Saving. It is a good time for perseverance . Not eating at - • A% • J > • E7 P • ~J !SC

home is good luck . It is a good time to cross the great water . 3rd Yao . You have a good horse following other . If you're aware o f
danger and keep persevering, it is favorable . You practice chariot drivin g
Zhan () or hints on divining and armed defense every day . It is a good idea to have a goal .

1. This is a march hexagram . It is good in spring, bad in summer an d Zhan (L )

fall .
2. After working a long time to develop your new skills, you feel th e 1. You want to join with others in a great opportunity opening up .
time has arrived to put them to work, and the feeling is true . You practice the new ambition and how to deal with problem s
3. Economy in trifies will ensure abundance. with it every day . Finally you think about what you want to achiev e
personally . You are all set .
Yao Tsi ( l ^ x F= ) o 2. Rushness spoils a chance of success .
J 3. Don't be arrogant because of your ability .
i~Q9• 4t •5c-• O
1st Yao . Danger, Desist . 4th Yao. The horns on a young bull . This is the best good luck .


228 The Tao Of I-Ching

Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 22 9

Zhan (r$ )'g

1. You know your friend almost gets crazy when he talks about hi s Yi -
job . Every time the subject comes up, you change the subject, o r
else you talk about his possible future at some new job . One day h e
notices your deliberation and concern and realizes he could do the
27 Mountain above
Thunder belo w
same for himself . He does, and is freed of his bad emotions enoug h Jaws
to find a way of improving things .
2. You should take precautions against calamity, or to nip trouble i n
the bud .
3. You try to lower the standard and to be satisfied with the nex t
best qualified .

5th Yao . The tusk of a gelded boar . Good luck ,

Zhan (c$ )

1. You find one of your employees is wild and erratic . You investigate
and discover that his supervisor picks on him for no good reason .
You transfer him to another supervisor and the problem vanishes .
2. It is like employing a steam hammer to crack a nut .
3. One cannot expect to find elephant tusks in the mouth of a dog ,
which means a mean fellow never says nice things .

6th Yao . You attain the way of heaven . Success .

Zhan ( r$ )

1. You work days and go to school evenings for four years of hardshi p
and on graduation you begin a new career that is just what yo u
wanted.
2. Your fortune is as "every road leads to Rome " , many ways to reac h
your goal .
3. Excellence in work is possible only with diligence .


230 The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 23 1

3 . Yi is a Youhŭn hexagram of Gŭ
rl Window of the hexagra m
18 GO 57 Sŭn 27 Yi "
1. A fall of rain . Freshening and purification .
2. Three children . Something accomplished through young people .
3. High noon . After reaching the zenith, a decline .
4. An incense table . To pray for something .
5. A government official wearing a golden robe . One should work hard
in order to have a successful official career . qŭihŭn Pure wind Youhŭ n
1
Image and Symbo l n YaoTsi(JJ^tic) 0
C----1 •-J
•u• •
The image is a dragon hidden in a crystal clear deep pool . You lost your magic tortise, and look at me with the corner s
1st } ao .
The symbol is to stay close to good acts and stay far away from evi l of your mouth pulled down. Bad luck . •
ones .
Zhan ( )
D Kua Tsi ( is *Fri') 0D
C— 1. You are happy with the good and simple way you live, and the n
. Ra• L•= • l*C]W • one day your pretentious girl friend drops you for a rich fellow .
Yi or Jaws . It is good luck to persevere . Pay attention to providin g You think about how lousy it is too be poor, instead of how luck y
nourishment, and to what a man seeks to fill his own mouth with . you are that your simplicity drives bad people away .
The reputation is not supported by fact .
((~~ Zhan ( rS ) or hints on divinin g 3 You will be faced with something at once troublesome and ludicrous .

1. This is an August hexagram . It is good in Winter and very bad i n 2nd Yao . Turning to the high summit for nourishment and leaving one 's
Spring . path to get nourishment from the hill . If you keep this up, it bring s
2. The image of Yi is the mouth and teeth, as shown below . bad luck .

Ihar1 ( L iI T
1 . You give up the little one-man business you created yourself and g o
to work for a big corporation . You find you don ' t have to thin k
teeth or use initiative and in a year's time you feel bored, desperate an d
atrophied .
2. No one is interested in doing a losing business, but you did !
3. You have a deep interest in all that is artistic .
i~-• 01 • el' PA• -{ 77.1i41• i6C TO• •


232 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 233

3rd Yao . Turning away from true nourishment brings bad luck if yo u • a •#iJ ~cJll •0
persist in it . Don't act this way for ten years . Nothing is worthwhil e 6th Yao . The source of nourishment is here . Being aware of danger i s
in this direction . 0 good luck . It is a time to cross the great water . Q

Zhan( ) Zhan (E )

1. You don't find the friends you like, so you give up looking harde r
and drift into a group that is always going from excess to excess an d
calling it "a good time ." One night you see one of them almost
killed by one of their excesses, and you realize this is death, not life .
2. The image of this Yao is similar to this situation, you love you r
dog very much and treat it as your best friend, but the dog alway s
bites and barks at you .
3. Don't make false accusations against others .
1. Through a life of constant growth you become a spiritual guid e
and leader to others . The responsibility to be far-seeing and wis e
is heavy . Your awareness of people's needs leads to great projects ,
yet the times favor success .
2. You should try repeatedly in spite of repeated failures .
3. You will go through danger as if there were no danger at all .

4th Yao . You turn to the summit for proper nourishment and this i s
good fortune . You spy about like a tiger with an insatiable hunger .
This is all right .

Zhan ( )

1. You decided on an ambitious and difficult enterprise of great benefi t

to yourself and others . You search like a hungry tiger for allies i n
your work .
2. One will not go broke he is frugal .
3. You have to do your job honestly and with dedication .

5th Yao. He turns away from the path. To remain persevering durin g
this time earns good luck . But one should not cross the great water .

Zhan ( r$ )

1. You become aware you just don't have the capability you need t o
accomplish things, so you turn to someone who has the specia l
skills of character you need for help and learning . As a result yo u
quickly acquire advanced skills, but remember this is not yet you r
own merit just the influence of help from an advanced person .
2. Happiness lies in rendering help to others .


234 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 23 5

n Window of the hexagra m

Dagu o 1. An official is sitting on the car with two flags flying from it . Thi s
means an overseas assignment .
28 Lake abov e
Wind below
2. There is the Chinese character meaning happiness on each flag .
3. Entering the red gates . This means a rich and influential family .
Great Passin g 4. An official stands outside of the red gates. This means to be
promoted soon .
5. A document. This is a certificate of appointment .
6. A small box . To cooperate harmoniously .
..,.~
Image and Symbol

T •* •
The image is a decayed ornamental tree producing flowers .
The symbol is weakness both inside and outside — the Yin lines in th e
first and sixth Yao .
C -- 0
KuaTsi ( _1_ 1 0

•t • OJ T
Daguo, or great passing . The ridgepole sags till it almost breaks . It is a
time for action, Success .

Zhan ( ) or hints on divining

1. This is a February hexagram . It is good in spring and bad in fall .

2. Daguo or great pagging is a Youhiin hexagram of Sui or following .

17 Sui 51 Zhen 28 Daguo

Qŭihŭn Pure wood Yoŭh i n

3 . The weather was perfect and your carefully tended garden is growing


Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 23 7

236 The Tao Of I-Ching

by leaps and bounds . You are suddenly aware that unless you us e
your imagination and move carefully, most of the great bounty 4th Yao . The ridgepole is braced . Good luck . If you have ulterio r
coming will be wasted . motives, you will be upset . O

Zhan (r$ ) e 15
Yao Tsi O h °1

IJ n• frP'll1=1T .
I st Yao . He spreads white rushes on the ground . There is no blame .
Zhan ( ci ) with no treasure and no friends .
1. You and your fiancee will marry soon . You work day and night t o
arrange everything so it will work out perfectly in settling into you r
new life .
2. You should take the right remedial steps to correct a shortcoming .
3. He who cannot forbear in small matters spoils great undertakings .
1. You get friends to help dig up old bottles to sell at the flea market .
You come across a rare treasure worth hundreds of dollars and hid e
it in your arm for yourself . Someone notices, and you wind u p
2. A great man will take time to shape and mature .
3. You will suffer a major setback due to carelessness .
5th Yao . A withered poplar grows flowers . An older woman marries .
There is nothing to blame and nothing to praise . •
ti Zhan ( c5 )

2nd Yao . A dry old poplar has new sprouts at the roots . An older ma n
marries a younger woman . Everything is for the good . 1 . Instead of thinking of reviving yourself, you think you'll just preten d
you're not run-down and tired out . You do, and nothing come s
r-c.• X.+>CAx 4-x •'x •
Zhan O of it, good or poor .
2. There will be twists and obstacles if a problem or an issue is no t
1. You were in a rut and feeling old and tired, then a new enterpris e settled promptly .
came along . You took it up and all your fatigue disappeared and yo u 3. The setting sun is warm and beautiful, but it will be the cold evenin g
feel like a new person . soon .
2. One will vainly regret in old age one's laziness in youth . _EA • 6X • V1 • il-M • •
3. Everyone should take care of one's own aged parents first and the n 6th Yao . One has to go through water and it goes over your head . Ba d
extend the same care to the aged people in general . luck . But nothing is to blame . •
JLE• •u• •
3rd Yao. The ridgepole sags to nearly breaking . Bad luck . • than ( L'i )

Zhan( ) 1 . You see someone in trouble in a burning car in an accident . Yo u

1. Everything prospers and you ignore advice to slow down an d
consolidate things . You push ahead, expand more, finally there i s
so much going on it all collapses .
2. You should make an overall assessment but start with the details .
3. The big mistake has been committed .
rush to help them but the gas tank explodes and you are nearl y
killed .
' . Don't develop had habits which will destroy you .
3 . Turn the head and you can see the shore . which means that repent-
ance and salvation is at hand .


2 38 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 23 9

n Window of the hexagra m

Ka n 1. A person falls into the well . This means getting into extrem e
difficulties .
Water above
29 Water below 2. The person is pulled out with a rope . This means gaining help i n
an emergency .
Water 3. An ox and a mouse . Indicate good fortune related to the hour ,
day, month . and year of the ox or of the mouse .
4. A person has the head of a tiger . This means there is an influentia l
person who can help you to find a job .

Image and Symbo l

The image is of a boat which is stranded and leaking to meet additiona l

difficulties .
The symbol is the Yang among the Yin in each trigram .

o Rua Tsi ( `)( R

C---I

Kan twice . If you are sincere . then you interealize success and whateve r
you do works out .

7.han) a- or hints on divining

1 . This is an Octomher hexagram, it is good in spring, bad in summe r

and fall .
~ . Kan or Water, is one of torn- evil hexagrams in I Ching . The situatio n
points to difficult in either to proceed or retreat . It is as it tw o
persons (tVso Yang Ya p s) are drowning in the water without an y
hell? .
You see a difficult and dangerous task yet your inner reeling tell s
yo« It must he done and you undertake it in a sober frame of mind .
You follow it through to the end and succeed .


240 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 24 I

containers are handed in through the window . There is nothing a t

Yao Tsi ( ri " ) o fault in this .
o C---1
:7Jis•'t~•J`~I'fi I~ • Zhan (ur )
1st Yao . Double Kan . In the abyss one can fall into a pit . Bad luck . •
1 . You meet an ally you can work with in a difficult situation . There i s
-
Zhan ( ur ) no opportunity to take him out to dinner to ceremoniously seal th e
bargain ; you both go to work at once .
1. You get so used to driving your car you forget what a dangerou s 2 . There is a chance to temporarily relieve an emergency or an urgen t
machine it is, and you have an accident . need .
2 . Whatever is phenomenal is ephemeral, the physical corresponds to 3 . It's the natural outcome of the time and circumstance .
the spiritual . ~t~•JJ(T gi V IP• t.
3 . A single post cannot support a mansion . 5th Yao . The abyss is not filled to overflowing . It is only filled to the
~t (•/J , rim . This is all right .
2nd Yao . The abyss is dangerous . You should work to attend to smal l
things only . Zhan (E )

' Zhan (r$ )

4
J I . You get trapped in the small town park with a dangerous lookin g
character waiting for you at the gate . You think about a showdown ,
1. You get lost in the woods . Instead of rushing about to get out fast , then you notice a break in the fence nearby, and your problem o f
you take your time, look for signs, do only a little bit at a time . leaving is solved .
2. One reaps no more than what one has sown . 2. Contentment brings happiness .
3. Unless you are absolutely sure that you can succeed in doin g 3. May you bear a son !
something, you should not attempt it .
6th Yao. He is bound with ropes and shut in behind thorn-hedge priso n
.3rd Yao . There is an abyss ahead and one behind . In dangers lik e walls . For three years he does not find a way out . Bad luck .
this one, pause and wait . Otherwise you will fall . •
NZhan( r5) 3
Zhan ( r$ )
1. The teller in the bank stole some money Then he falsified th e
1. A vicious guard dog that has gotten loose comes running up an d records to hide that . Then he lied to his supervisor to hide that .
stands snarling at you with rage . If you turn to run, he will attac k Then he stole a car to run away . Now the FBI is after him .
and if you threaten him he will attack . All you can do is stan d 2. Don't injure a person already in great difficulty .
waiting alertly until something happens . 3. You toil all day long just to make both ends meet .
2. One does not know what to do .
3. The good circumstances don ' t last long .
D9 • i1 +:;t R~ 1~ 1 . • e -J n •ifs I x~;
Ph Yao . There is a jug of wine and a bowl of rice, these earthen


t
The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 24 3
242

i Window of the hexagram—

Li

30
1. A man stands on a tiger's back . This means an awkward positio n
from which there is no retreat .
Five abov e
2. A boat in the middle of a river means you have favorable wind s
Fire belo w in your sailing .
Fire 3. An official holding an arrow stands on the bank of a river . Thi s
means something that begins with evil, but ends with good .

Image and Symbo l

The image is a flying bird spreading its wings .

The symbol is the sun and the moon in their appropriate places .

Kim Ts i ( I: ' 00

Li or Fire . It is a time to persevere, for doing so brings success . To tak e

care of the cow brings good luck .

Zhaii ( r5) or hints on divinin g

1. This is an April hexagram . it is good in summer had in spring an d

winter, may be sick in fall .
2. Li or Fire is a pure hexagram we can take advantage of fire, fo r
cooking, healing, and so on . At the same time, however, fire ca n
injure as and do great damage . We need to make good use of fire an d
aviod its dangers .
3. After long work and planning, you now see clearly the path to follo w
in your activity . You follow it directly, not wasting your energ y
trying to find shortcuts .

0
YauTsi ; 0

)Jftii ~'
Ist Yan. The footprints run crisscross . If you are serious and intent ,


Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 245

244 The Tao Of I-Ching

there is nothing to blame . 0

Fri; Zhan (r )
_
Zhan (t ii ) 1. You are in a restless mood and you suddenly "see the answer" t o
your situation with great clarity and accuracy . But you fix so
1. You see several possible routes in and could be confused . But you t
intently on it that the inspiration is quickly burned up and destroye d
are calmed by your inner strength and you take your time to fin d and you are back at zero again .
the correct path . 2. A lifetime of cleverness can be interrupted by moments of stupidity .
2. From listening comes wisdom and from speaking repentance . 3. Please follow more cautiously life's golden rule .
3. It is often better not to see an insult than to avenge it . • 1: it 1 • • 0
4. To reach a high position, one must start from a low bosition . 5th Yao . Tears in bleeding, sighing and lamenting . Good luck . O
=ŭ• 0 •u
2nd Yao . Yellow light is the highest good fortune .
Wt, Zhan (r5 )

• Zhan ( ' urw ) • I . You reach the great goal you strived for for so long . It i s
magnificent . The at the height of your happiness you suddenl y
1. You see extreme ways to follow but the moderate middle wa y realize "all the rest of my life is going to be downhill!" and you fee l
emits with such clearness and force you cannot mistake it followin g lost and weep . Then a more sober mood comes over you and yo u
it leads to success . realize that all of life is illuminated with equal value and that eac h
2. Get your mind set . Confidence will guide you on . different part is to be treasured . Feeling better, you understand ho w
3. You will step on the soil of many countries . to make the wisest use of where you are now .
AL= H ; 4-
c • i it' f • VI• • 2. You are domestically inclined and will be happily married .
.3rd Yao . In the light of the setting sun, men either beat the pot an d 3. You have an optimistic faith and confidence in life .
sing or loudly complain of old age coming . Bad luck.
6th Yao . The king uses his light to march forth and punish . It is bes t
Zhan ($ ) to kill the leaders and only take captive the followers . There is nothing
to blame .
1. The party is almost over and some are having a wonderful tim e
at the culmination of the whole event . Others are making themselve s
than ( )
miserable over things they missed, and still others are drinkin g
themselves into a stupor trying to forget this .
You have a time of strong clarity in looking at yourself and see i t
2. You are deeply attached to your family and home . is time to clean your life up . At first you feel so strongly about thi s
3. Consolidate rather than expand husiness projects in the near future . you are practically ready to become a monk . Then you realiz e
V9 • x Vdal • ~ li p • ~i17 • •
fL !f] ]iI]
this would be detrimental to your personality, so you pick ou t
llh I au . Its coming is sudden ; it flames up and then quickly dies dow n
your worst bad habits and set out to correct them.
and is discarded . • 2 . We must always have old memories and young hopes .
3 . With integrity and consistency, your credits are piling up .


246 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 247

Window of the hexagram

L'd
Xia n
1. A hand is in the sky . Though you never dreamed it would happen ,

31 Lake abov e
Mountain below
someone will give you a hand and help you .
2. A pile of jewels and coins means riches and wealth .
Influence 3. An official stands on the top of a mountain . This means bein g
well versed in both politics and military tactics .
4. A roman climbs up a mountain . When her husband sings to her,
his wife follows .
5. A small box means to cooperate harmoniously .

Image and Symbo l

W :• c iT 2A •
The image is the mountains and the water intermingling their influence .
The symbol is that utmost sincerity can move even God .
0
Kua Tsi ( T. ' P ) 0

• iJ rQ

Xian or Influence is successful ; it is time to persevere . To marry a

maiden is good luck .

((~~ Lhan ( ) or hints on divinin g

1. This is a January hexagram, it is good in spring and bad in fall .

2. It is a good time to arrange a marriage between you and you r
sweetheart .
3. You realize your life is too empty, so you set out to find som e
worthwhile goal to cultivate .

YaoTsi( 4 0
o
C-

1st Yao . Xian or Influence shows itself in the big toe .



248 The Tao Of 1-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 24 9

Zhan (r$ )
Zhan )

1. You find your deepest concern comes from your values, and thi s
1. You are just about to take a big step . So far nothing of it is visibl e becomes your guide . Instead of your thoughts jumping all over an d
to others. tiring you aril everyone else, you have a steady guide .
2. It is an attempt to do what is far beyond your power, yet if yo u 2 . Let's all work together for that worthy project, plan and care fo r
persist, there is a way to success . both duties .
3 . Young people fresh from school are uncompromising despit e 3 . Don't get into unexpected difficulty .
opposition from authority .
5th Yao . The influence is in the back of the neck . No disappointment .
2nd Yao . Influence shows itself in the calves of the leg . Bad luck.
Delaying is good luck.
ti Zhan (c$ )
R ♦ is 1- x_ 1 x 4,, 1 ` . 1 T

Zhan (r$ ) ~,
1. You feel a totally stable impression of what your goal is and nothin g
n . r .1 x . 1 . 1-y!
confuses it .
2. You will impress others by showing your ability and talents .
1. You feel pushed and pulled by confusing pressures, so you settl e 3. A large tree has its deep root .
down and wait for a clear sign to move .
2. You should wait for a favorable price to sell . 6th Yao . The influence is in the jaws, Cheeks and tongue .
3. The newcomer ends up in front .
.
AZ • J( 1 • NZhan ( r$ )
3rd Yao . The influence shows itself in the thighs . It holds on to wha t
responds to it . To continue with this brings an upset . 1. Whole kingdoms rise and fall in the words coming out of you r
mouth in such richness, but the rest of your body reveals .
Zhan (c$ )
2. When one is getting old, after the teeth have fallen out, the tongu e
still works fine . What does this mean ?
1. Now you feel generous inner impulses to do this, that ; and every - 3. Please, always say good words about others .
thing . Finally you realize you had better ignore them all and cal m
down.
2. It is a time to pursue good fortune and shun the course of calamity .
3. The more one tries to cover up something, the more it will becom e
known .
C9• ~~•tt•t t t • l Eti
4th Yao . Persistence is good luck and disappointment disppears . Bu t
if you are mentally agitated and your thoughts jump all over the plac e
the only friends who will follow you are the ones you fix your consciou s
attentions on .


250 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 25 1

Window of the hexagra m n

Heng q
1. The sun is presently behind the clouds . When they pass, the su n

32 Thunder abov e

Wind belo w
reveals good fortune .
2. A phoenix holds a letter in its beak . This means an importan t
Constancy letter or communication will come soon .
3. An official is taking a walk . This suggests helping someone .
4. A Taoist priest points to the doorway . This means giving a perso n
good guidance to clear up a confused situation .
5. Two mice . This means good luck related to the hour, day, mont h
and year of the mouse .

Image and Symbo l

I=IA S M2J • 9*T 2_' •

The image is of the sun and moon always shining brightly .
The symbol is that the always changing seasons perpetuate the creatio n
of things .

0
Kua Tsi (3C _F. ITS` 0
C-

Heng or constancy is successful . There is nothing to blame and i t

is a time for perseverance and action .
,.
= ' Zhan( ) _ ^ I or hints on divining

1. This is a January hexagram . It is good in spring, had in summer .

It means loss of money in the fall .
2. The image of Heng is the Tao of marriage, the relation ship betwee n
two lovers .
3. You find yourself with straightforward work of many sorts, instea d
of a strong focus on some special situation . You follow through
steady success .


The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 25 3

252

n YaoTsi(ŭ ' ) gi Zhan(G5) -

1 . You work very hard to find what you want, never finding it, an d
1st Yao . If you seek constancy hastily, you only get persistent failure . never thinking about whether you are looking in a place where
such things are found .
Than ( ) 2 . An empty sack cannot stand upright .
3 . By spending much time in what is not his proper place, gain canno t
1. You decide to "learn persistence, " so you work all day like a fien d be had .
until you are totally exhausted . The next day you have no energ y
at all and it all seems nonsense . 5th Yao . When you give duration to your character by persevering ,
2. Be sure to take advantage of an opportunity when it comes along . this is good luck for a woman, and bad luck for a man .
3. Small things may cause big trouble .
Zhan (r )
2nd Yao . Disappointment disappears .
R 4.. 4 K 4 x 4 x 4 w 4
1. If a man got this Yao, he had worries of trouble at home .
Zhan (ur 4) T 2. When you are serving others you find good luck in constant effor t
4 Y 4 Y 4 w 4 4,1 4
to follow their moves, but when you are following your sense o f
1. You know you have the vision to do great things, yet the inner value, you need to give up the outer perseverance .
opportunity is not there . Instead of being upset, you calm you r 3. Sincerity can make metal and stone crack .
will and adapt to the time .
2. If you make a decision to act, it will soon be too late to regret it . 6th Yao . If you endŭre in being restless, you bring bad luck . •
3. A virtuous man seldom has dreams .
l L ,_ • +~I Q .irt • 04 *~C.X11 • f~ T3 Zhan ( r5 )
.3rd Yao . If you don't give duration to your character, you will b e
disgraced and persistenly humiliated . 1. You just rush ahead all the time, never thinking about your inne r
nature and so most of your energy is wasted and your judgmen t
Zhan(d5 ) is poor .
2. Don't give a promise easily and break it easily .
1. You have clear values and goals, but you never think of trainin g 3. If you act rashly and blindly, you will suffer heavy losses .
your "willpower " to act consistently . The result is that ever y
exterior thing that comes along distracts you or taunts you, an d
you get nowhere .
2. Man has his will, but woman has her way .
3. As long as your conscience is your friend, you need not be con-
cerned about your enemies .
~t LW • EH • •
4th Yao . There is no wild game in this field . •


254 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 25 5

Wind ow of the hexagra m

n
Tun A

1

1. A mountain looms the place to go is far beyond the mountain .

33 Heaven abov e
Mountain belo w
2. A river flows the place is far from the river, meaning one must mak e
a long journey to reach it .
3. There is a Chinese character on a bar's flag . This means saying
Yieldin g
something foolish and rash when drunk .
4. A man steps on a tortise . The Chinese character for tortise (
and return (M) have the same sound . This means a person or
a)
object is returning .
5. The moon is half-hidden by the clouds . This refers to the chao s
of troubled times .
6. A headdress hangs on a tree . This means to quit or resign a post .
7. A person drinks under a tree . This means to enjoy oneself in ones
own way, no matter what others may think .

Image and Symbo l

The image is the leopard living in silence in the south mountain .

The symbol is to shun evil and follow the Way .

0 Kua Tsi (3r ) 0

O
C-
•/J \ .

Tun or yielding . There is success . It is a time to persevere in small

things .

Zhan ( ur ) or hints on divining

1. This is a June hexagram ; it is good in spring, bad in summer an d

winter .
2. Two Yin Yaos below four Yang Yaos, which means that the Yi n
side is expanding, and the Yang side is yielding .
3. It is evening, and after a long, active day of large projects, you sit a t
your desk and attend to many small tasks that need doing .
4. Someone wants to attack you socially, but you can see everythin g


256 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 25 7

is on their side and you retreat carefully instead — giving you r they fix your flat for you and keep others from attacking your car .
opponent some sharp jabs everytime they overstep themselves an d 2. Ones folly will bring ones ruin .
try to break your defenses . 3. It's unwise to offend -the public .

0
YaoTsi(~!t 5 ) 0 4th Yao. When you yield voluntarily, it is good fortune for the advance d
person, but downfall for the inferior person .
:&17c•i t • f/lJ)~ ~ '
1st Yao . You are at the tail of the Tun or Yielding . This is the most Zhan(L )
dangerous place to be . You must not think of undertaking any projects .
1. You get driven from your job by greedy and unscrupulous colleague s
t Zhan ( ) AS on divinati ' who fear you for your competence . You leave politely, sayin g
nothing . The business immediately goes into a long-term slum p
1. You are camping and a bear comes in the middle of the night t o because none of the others have any real skill.
steal your food and gets upset and dangerous . You distract th e 2. Don't expose another person's secrets .
animal with a stick while your friends get away, then you get away , 3. It is very hard to make both ends meet .
too.
2. If one remains calm upon seeing strange things, the strangeness 5th Yao. You yield in a friendly way . If you persevere now, it is goo d
will be no harm . fortune . 0
3. You are easily moved by what you see or hear .
*- Zhan ( rte )
2nd Yao . You are held fast with yellow oxhide, and you can't tea r
yourself loose . 0 1. You win some money at poker, and when the players decide t o
play for very high stakes, you say it is time to go . They heckl e
r,-4 ,xA-x..1-xA'x4 ,
n Zhan ) you and say you must give them a chance to win their money back ,
14,x,, rx•x .x .
but you are out the door with a smile before they can stop you .
1. You split with your friends in disgust because they always try t o 2. Accumulation of small amounts results in large quantities .
browbeat you into behaving like them . But one of them insists 3. Knowing someone by his reputation is not as good as meetin g
you rejoin the group and help them, saying he will defend your side . him in person .
2. His motives were not good .
3. You cannot expest to owe the success to good luck . 6th Yao . You are cheerful in yielding . Everything advances you .

3rd Yao. Your retiring is stopped and you are in a tense and dangerous Zhan ( c$ )
spot. To get the help of people especially servants is a good idea .
1 . You thought it over with great care before deciding to move . No w
Zhan( ) that the moment has come you feel no uneasiness and look forwar d
happily to the path ahead .
1 . Just as you as driving away from the area where there is rioting, 2 . You will have a high position and good pay .
your car gets a flat . You find some rioters who need a ride, and 3 . Happiness lies in rendering help to others.


25 8 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 259

e
Dazhuang .* * n Window of the hexagram
ITO

34
1. The Big Dipper is visible . This is an omen of disaster .
Thunder above 2. A God holds a sword . This is another bad omen .
Haven belo w 3. An official kneels and bows . This means to pray for blessings .
Great Vigo r 4. A monkey, a rabbit, and a dog . The hour, day, month, or year
relating to any of these three animals is poor now .

Image and Symbo l

The image is a ram butting against a fence .

The symbol is crookedness at the start and smoothness later on .

0
Kua Tsi ( =F g o
Dazhuang or grest vigour . It is a time to persevere .

Zhan (i•r53 )"_ or hints on divinin g

1 . This is a February hexagram, it is bad in spring, evil in winter .

2. Four Yang Yao advance from below and drive away two Yin Ya o
on the top, this means great intera 1 vigour .
3. You wanted money to repair your home . Now everything is goin g
right in your business . You impulsively want to spend the mone y
in other ways as well, then you realize this can lead to dissipatio n
and you stick with your plans .

00 YaoTsi(J~sc3 )
0
0
n 0
L J

1st Yao . Your Vigor is in your toes . If you continue, you will hav e
bad luck, this is unavoidable . .

260 The Tao Of I-Ching
Zhan ( ) your energies and attend to doing it well .
1. You meet an old enemy and find him at a tremendous disadvantage .
It would be easy to smash him . But he has done nothing wrong ,
so you go your own way .
2. One has two little power or resources to do as much as one wishes .
3. Don't march fearlessly onward at this critical time .
2nd Yao . If you persevere now you will have good luck . 0
-
1 ,4 x +-A 4 x 4'X . A 4
Zhan ( ) along and handle it perfectly and go on to the next, never pushin g
`t . r . Y,x . x4 K .
1. You work for hours without result to solve a problem . Finally ,
when very tired, you have a breakthrough and see the answer .
You consider pushing ahead and finishing the work now, but yo u
realize you are tired and it can wait until tomorrow now that yo u
know the right way .
2. Everyone envies your good luck .
3. Even though you always have good luck, if you try your luck at
the gambling tables, you will definitely meet the usual ill luck .
j1= d` 1.f4 )1 f1 • •ATM • 7 •
3rd Yao . The inferior man thinks only of power, but the superio r
person does not do this . If you continue this way, it is dangerous .
A goat butts his horns against a hedge and finally gets hopeles :.:y
entangled .
Zhan (ur )
I . A fellow develops his physical strength by all sorts of weight liftin g
and working out, not to make good use of it, but rather t o
show off to people . His doctor examines him, and finds he has
overstrained vital organs and is in a dangerous state .
2. It is said in the theory of Tai Chi Chuan : "Use internal conscious-
ness, not external forms ." So, if you practice Tai Chi Chuan, yo u
know what this Yao means .
3. You were able to show great power in solving a difficult proble m
that came up . You feel elated and that this is the time for gredat
Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 26 1
things, but you realize your work is more mundane, so you res t
•K :.~ •~ • ;~ • 0
4th Yao . To persist is good luck and there will be no remorse . Th e
thick hedge opens up and you don't get entangled . Your power depend s
on the axle of a big cart . 0
Zhan (s$ )
1. You have tremendous desire to succeed but circumstances ar e
totally against it . So you take every small opportunity that come s
too hard . Then when things open up, your tremendous motivation
comes into full play .
2. It's exactly what you are hoping for .
3 You will get promotion step by step or continuously .
ttlj .
5th Yao . You lose the goat easily . There is no unhappiness .
g' Zhan(1:$ )
1 . You were ready to fight for what is right against people with th e
wrong idea, and to give it all the strength you had . Now you fin d
they have reformed themselves, and you can forget that and relax .
2 . Man 's determination will conquer nature .
3 . You will enjoy happiness and prosperity for the rest of your life .
• T W • >t • ) ~J A -
6th Yao . A goat butts against a hedge . It cannot back off and it canno t
go forward . Nothing furthers . If you note this, you will have goo d
fortune.
~Zhan ( G$ )
1 . Your car gets stuck in the snow bank and you spin the wheels about .
Straining your engine and sinking in deeper . Then you stop . You
remember you have a shovel in the trunk .
2 . If you go too far you come to a dead end, unable either to advanc e
or to retreat . Whatever you do merely serves to complicate thin g


262 $ Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture

The Tao Of 1-Ching 26 3

further . The only thing you can do is to calm down and to realiz e
the situation and then come back through the original path .
3 . You will make plans to no avail . JI n
35 Fire above
Earth belo w
Advancing


2 64 The Tao Of 1-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 26 5

14 Dayou 1 . Qian 35 Jin

Window of the hexagram
x

1. A piece of paper has missing words . The situation is incomplete .

2. An officer covers his face and weeps . It is too late to repent, an d Yoŭhŭ n
qŭnh ' m Pure heaven
thus avoid trouble .
3. A ball is stuck fast in the mud . Things do not turn out as on e If a patient consults I Ching and gets Jin, he is in a very seriou s
wishes. condition .
4. A rooster's beak holds a weighing scale . One is unable to cry or Finally your worth is recognized and valued accordingly . After three
to laugh . months of failure at learning to juggle, you suddenly can kee p
5. A withered tree grows flowers . This is good fortune that come s the three oranges aloft all the time . Then four, five and six .
after a long spell of bad luck . 0
0
6. A letter is held in a deer's mouth . This is a certificate of appoint- 0 YaoTsi(J (4- O

ment.
7. There is a pile of gold and jewels . This means riches and wealth . VIA • ttriltt A•Aa• •rR•J~ •
1st Yao . You advance, but are turned back . It is a good time t o
Image and Symbol persevere and win good fortune . If no one has any confidence in you ,
you should remain calm . This is the right way.

The image is the dragon sword kept in its sheath . Zhan ( ) =

The symbol is that one i s finally represented with an opportunity to
fulfill a goal . 1 . You start in your new business and when customers find you hav e
no experience, they don't want to deal with you . You keep o n
confidently until you succeed .
LKTSi (C {: ')
2 . Obedience is a better way of showing respect than outward reverence .
3 . The spiritual debt is deep and great .
Jin or advancing. The powerful prince is honored with large number s i~~ ~ItAk~(A• l q •R I IJ~~~ 0
of horses . He receives an audience with the king three times in a singl e 1st Yao . Advancing meets with sorrow . If you persevere at this time ,
day . you will have good luck . You will obtain great happiness from femal e
ancestor . 0
Zhan ( r ) or hints on divining
Zhan ( )
1. This is a March hexagram it is good in spring and winter, and ba d
in fall . i . Your boss says to make an appointment with his secretary to tal k
2. Jin or Advancing is a Youhŭn hexagram of Dayou or great possession . about the special plan you have . But he is always jumping up an d
going somewhere else when you go to see him . You wonder if h e
has totally lost interest. You persist and finally see him, discoverin g
he is that much more considerate due to your patience .
I


266 The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture .267

2. You should suffer any disgrace and insult in order to accomplis h
your own project.
i of this, and there will be no blame . If you persevered too much, the n
3rd Yao . Everyone is in accord, and unhappiness disappears .
i. .S= .i= . SZ .i5 ••
Zhan (rS )
1. You give up your plan to go into business for yourself and tak e
on two partners . To your surprise, you all get along so well tha t
you forget your disappointment completely .
2. You have an ambition for things beyond what is presently availabl e
or obtainable .
3. Cooperation and unity make difficult things easy .
J.D9 • f a M•11• O
4th Yao . You advance like a hamster . To persevere in this is dangerous . .
6th Yao . It is all right to make progress "with horns" right now, bu t
only to punish your own city . It is good luck to be aware of the dange r
you will take a fall .
Zhan ( [i )
I
1. You are in favor at your job right now and you take advantag e
of this to "straighten out" a fellow employee who's gotten corrupt .
By handling things carefully, you avoid unpleasantness . Someon e
says you should use this skill outside your job but you realize thi s
way you would overextend yourself .
2. Last minute efforts are useless if no preparatory work has bee n
done .

Zhan(c$)

1. You serve as agent for a rich old lady helping her sell her antiques ,
and you think "no one would know if I took a secret commissio n
on a few deals." But you discard the idea as unworthy . Late r
you find she had had everything appraised and would have caugh t
you.
2. The good situation doesn't last long .
3. You will make plans to no avail .

5th Yao . Dissatisfaction disappears. Don't take gain and loss to o

seriously . To do things is good luck . Everything furthers it .

Zhan ( )

1. Suddenly your special talent is a community asset and you ar e

called on to help again and again . Your friends say you ough t
to open a business in it on the side and "cash in on it" but yo u
don 't have time . When you think it over, you decide "first thing s
first," and you don't feel disappointed .
2. One who avoids seeing trouble does not have to worry about trouble .


268 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 26 9

n
ingyi n Window of the hexagram
M ' B)i A
36
1. A woman is sitting on the well . This symbolizes a trap or bein g
Earth abov e drawn into a hopeless situation .
Fire belo w 2. A tiger is inside the well . This means a hero is bullied by a gang o f
Darkenin g weaklings when his luck is down .
3. A coin is broken . This means loss of money or suffering bankruptcy .
4. A lookout post is broken in the middle . This means not knowin g
what direction to turn in .
5. The deer is chased by a man . This means to achieve and gai n
nothing, a very bad omen .

Image and Symbo l

iii A • W MAf 2. t
The image is the phoenix flying, but with drooping wings .
The symbol is leaving the light and entering into darkness .

o Kua Tsi (3f : '0 : ) o

C-
'-t
Tl • f iJ F .
Mingyi : In bad times it is favorable to he persevering .

Zhan (~~ or hints on divinin g

1 . This is an August hexagram . It is good in winter, had in summer an d

fall .
2. Your energies are so intense that, when directed outward they ca n
make your dream come true .
3. Mingyi is Youhŭn hexagram of Shi or Arm y

7 Shi 29 Kan 36 Mingy i

— x

quihŭn Pure Water You hŭ n

If a patient consults the I Ching and gets mingyi, it is a very



270 The Tao Of 1-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 27 1

dangerous condition, needing great care .

Zhan ( u ) r
00 0
YaoTsi(J~sc ) 0 1. You get involved in a political controversy and by great good luc k
the opposition leader is discredited in a scandal . Your friend s
191 A • %J J ' • J • = H 'l • IX LL • l\ r--5. • 0
7"~' say "we have won now ." but you warn them the opposition is
1st Yao . Mingyi. During flight . You lower your wings . You find supported by many people and can get new leaders easily .
no food for three days on your wanderings . But you have a destination . 2. if you go south . you will find a job and a friend .
Your host gossips about you . 0
1 th ao .You penetrate the left side of the belly, and get at th e
Zhan ( r$ ) deepest heart of Mingyi . You leave the courtyard by the gate .

1. You set out with a high and ambitious goal and are struck dow n
by a bad fate . Instead of quitting entirely, you make every effor t
to keep your goal alive and suffer hardships while your friend s
say he is crazy .
2. Supposing you grant that be was in his right mind, that was n o
excuse for his conduct .
3. Your mind is superior to being governed by prejudice .
ATR . 3. Birds of different feathers will not flock together .
2nd Yao . Minyi . Hurt him in the left thigh . He helps with the strength
of a horse. Good luck.
I"cA 4-,,- 4 -K
Zhan (r$ )
1. Bad elements where you work have convinced your boss to tak e
a stand that is exploitive and second-rate. You cannot speak out ,
but you never throw away your inner vision of seeing something
better happening .
2. You and your friends go sailing and the boat is overturned in a
sudden storm . You do everything to see your friends are safe and
that no one is hurt while you wait for help to come .
3. You join a peaceful public demonstration regarding a social ill . Bu t
the political climate is against it and troublemakers start violence t o
give the demonstration a bad name . You risk dangers to protec t
your friends and help them get away safely .
J , Zhan (r$ )
1. You think your more powerful opponent is just misguided an d
greedy, but by chance you discover his secret plans and find ou t
it is much, much worse . Now that you know, you can get out befor e
disaster strikes .
2. You should take into consideration every aspect of a matter .
i~~•,~~~ • Ti't •
5th Yao . The MingyI is like that of Prince Chi . It is a time fo r
persevering .
Zhan ( r$ )
Like Prince Chi you find your relative is involved in evil acts . You
will not desert your family . so you pretend to not notice . Dis-
credited, you do not have to do bad things, and you hang around ,
looking always for a chance to help the good side .
A wise person who knows what is hest for himself can safeguar d
against harm .
•NI i• JJ41-} •& ysiTit '
Oth Yao . There is no light hut darkness . First he raised himself t o
heaven, then he plunged into the deepest hell . 0

3rd ao . Minyi . During hunting in the south . Their head leader i s

1 ~ Zhan r5 )
taken prisoner . You should not expect perseverance too soon . 0 1 . The bully who dominated your group drove all the good peopl e


272 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 27 3

away . No one was left to restrain his rashness and he wen t

completely berserk . Now the police have just taken him away an d
he will not return. Jiaren
37
2. Can you image the situation, If there is no road rising to heaven an d
no gate plunging into the deepest hell ? Wind abov e
3. To avoid temptation one should maintain presence of mind . Fire belo w
Famil y

274 The Tao Of 1 -Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 275

gradually disappears.
Window of the hexagra m
Zhan ( r$ )
1. A man draws a how . This means to nurture one's strength i n
preparation for a challenging task . 1. When you and your friends undertake a difficult and adventurou s
2. A repe belt is at the water side . This means dragging through mu d project, you find that initially they can only daydream of success ,
and water unable to make a decision . and you nag them to do the things that are important . Some are
3. A document is in the clouds . This means imperial graciousness . very annoyed, but in the long run your group is able to succee d
4. An official kneels and bows acception the document . This mean s and all else is forgotten .
to express thanks for an assignment . 2. Every family has some sort of trouble .
5. A woman gives her hand to the official . This is a good omen fo r 3. Domestic scandals should not be published .
marriage.
2nd Yao . She should not follow whims, because she has to take car e
Image and Symbo l of the food. Persevering now is good luck later on .
r-i-, x . x_, x x. x ,

Zhan ( • )
The image is to dive in th e deep sea for pearls .
The symbol is flowers turnin g to fruits. 1 . You feel like doing this and doing that, and then you realize i t
will mean neglecting your most important duties . You forget you r
Kua Tsi (_C ) 0 impulses and stick to the important work . You succeed .
G 2 . Don't be a black sheep in your family .
A • fiIik • Fri-" 3 . You will go with apprehension and return with great enthusiasm .
The family . The kind of perseverance a woman has will succeed . {{
3rd Yao . When everyone's temper flares up, to be too severe bring s
Zhan i( GS )f- a- or hints on divinin g unhappiness . It is the right direction, however . When women an d
children are disorganized and play too much, it leads to unhapp y
This is a June hexagram . It is good in spring, bad in summer an d collapses .
winter .
You find your friends have bad ideas and attitudes . You thin k Zhan(r )
of attacking, but you look further and find the foundations o f
their lives are weak and this is where the trouble comes from . 1 . No one feels like working and a few people get red in the fac e
Instead you set out to do things to influence them to better thei r when you tell them how lazy they are . They go to work sullenly .
conditions . Later they forget it .
2 . A girl should get married upon reaching womanhood .
O
Yao Tsi (I~J;i c g 0 3 . If one grows up in a wealthy enviorment one will suffer more tha n
others who grow up in a poor family .
I -44 • ~' L •
» )1 . • AIN •~ •~co• 0
1st Yao . There is firm seclusion of the family as a unit . Disappointment 4th Yao . She is the treasure of the family . The greatest good luck. O


2 76 The Tao Of I-Ching

Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 27 7

a Zhan ( )`t

Ku i
1. One member of your group did nothing but take care of routin e
things and always keep things in order, but was not appreciated ;
Then hard times came from outside and everybody suddenly saw
they were able to survive only because of this order .
2. One can never fully repay the love and care one has received fro m
38 =- Fire abov e
Lake belo w
.++ one's mother no matter how hard one tries to please her . Oppositio n

5th Yao . You approach your family like a king . No need for fears .
Good luck . 0

ti Zhan ( )

1. You think first of doing your work thoroughly, and when you wor k
with others of your group, you encourage their good work .
2. A wise mother would do everything for the healthy growth of he r
childern .
~~t•A•#?t • 0
6th Yao . Your work commands respect . Good luck is coming . 0

Zhan( c$ )

1. You did your job well . No one else could use you as an excus e
for laziness or poor work . The hard workers felt themselves to b e
second to you . Everyone is going to benefit .
2. If one accumulates enough good deeds, one will have more tha n
enough blessings to spare .

278 The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 279

r.1 Window of the hexagram eu

I:l
up, alert yourself against making any mistakes .

1. A man holds an ax. This means to be in authority .
2. A document is damaged . Means not knowing whether to advanc e
or retreat .
3. There is an ox and a mouse . This is good for the hour, day, month,
and year of the ox or of the mouse .
4. The peach tree blossoms . It is spring-time .
5. The gates are closed . A person had returned home .
6. The snow goose flies and cackles . Everything does not turn ou t
as one wishes .
Image and Symbo l
The image is that the ferocious tiger is trapped .
The symbol is that two women are staying together.
o troversy because others seeing you together become angry . Then
n Kua Tsi (3– FE ) o
Kul or opposition . You can have good luck in smaller matters .
Zhan(1:$ )i- or hints on divining
1. This is a February hexagram . It is good in spring, bad in summe r
and winter .
2. You find your group split in two by an obstinate dispute . Yo u
say nothing, and work on the smaller things that everyone agree s
on .
3. There is no way water and fire can coexist .
0
0 and later see justice prevail .
1st Yao . Disappointment disappears . If your horse runs off, don 't
follow it, it will come back on its own . When you see evil people show
Than ( )
1. Your friends are angry with you because you took an unpopula r
stand on an issue that came up . You say nothing and bide you r
time . One of them brings a couple of unsavory characters to visit .
You say nothing and instead are careful to maintain the highes t
standards of personal conduct . Eventually they go away sayin g
"how dull! " Eventually your friends forget their anger .
2. You will receive a blessing in disguise .
2nd Yao . You meet your master in a narrow street . There is nothin g
bad in this . 0
7,4 ,.4+44 .
Zha n
1. You stay away from your friend who favors your side of the con-
you happen on him accidentally in the parking lot, and you exchang e
a few quick words to fill each other in on what is happening .
2. An ambitous person who constantly shows improvement deserve s
a new appraisal of his/her achievements every now and then .
A_ • EWE • ATV • AA)ILJ • T i • O
3rd Yao . You see the wagon dragged backwards, and the oxen brough t
to a stop, a man 's hair and nose cut off. It is a bad beginning, bu t
there is a good end .
Zhann ( ~ r$ )
1. Just as you decide to tell your boss his latest scheme is not goo d
you get angry at him for firing another objector! Nonetheless ,
you know you are right, and you join forces with the fired employe e
2. You are secretly interested in one thing while pretending to sho w
interest in another .
• t
A P9• ~c • x
4th Yao . While you are isolated by opposition, you meet a like-minde d


2 80 The Tao Of 1-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 28 1

person and you know you can associate with him in good faith . Despit e is dispersed and you feel relieved .
dangerous times, nothing regrettable will happen . 2. You will do something inexplicably as if manipulated by super -
natural beings .
Zhan-( ) 3. The information you expect is like a fish that dives and neve r
surfaces or a snow goose that departs and never returns .
1. You seem the only one in your group who has any sense, and every -
one else is just making trouble . Then you have a chance meetin g
with a person you didn't know well and find he sees things exactl y
the same way . You trust each other and as you part, you both feel
reassured in your attitudes.
2. You have talents unappreciated by the world .
3. Learning is an endless process .
•'PAC • 1 :i: •t1p7 '
5th Yao . Disappointment disappears . A companion bites his wa y
thru the wrappings . If you go to him, it couldn't be a mistake .

X34 Zhan(c$ )

1. Everyone is against one another because of the controversy . Then

a person of the same positive sentiment as yours makes his sincerit y
visible in his actions, and you join up with the person .
2. You will enjoy the first of the toil of others .
3. Be aware of someone who flatters you while preparing to plant a
sword in your back .

fi•~J A
6th Yao . Isolated by opposition, you see your companion as a pi g
covered with dirt or a wagon full of devils . First you draw a bow agains t
him, then you lay the bow aside . He is not a robber and will cour t
at the right time . When you go to meet him, rain falls, and good fortun e
comes.

Zhan ( cS )

1 . You see one of your clan acting seeminly irresponsible and foolis h
and set out to destroy the person's influence . Then you decid e
to wait and be sure, and the person makes a move towards friend -
ship . When you accept his offer, the tension that had built up


28 2 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 28 3

n
Window of the hexagra
m n
CU "
39
1. The sun shines . This is an image of brightness .
Water abov e 2. There is the Chinese character # meaning happiness printed o n
Mountain belo w a flag. This means someone will surprise you with something tha t
Limping will make you happy .
3. The five drums are the night watchman's drums . This shows a
time late at night when everything is quiet .
4. A deer puts its front feet on a drum . This means to become in-
creasingly prosperous .
5. There are two Chinese characters f' N. meaning "a thousan d
miles ." This is an omen of something very far away becoming a
factor .

Image and Symbo l

'RJR RS 1-T ['pi Fri A(z

The image is a flying snow goose holding a reed in its mouth .
The symbol is going away from brightness towards darkness .
qa —~0
0
Kaa Tsi (~C _L ) 0

• MM. •TTi'J L• l~ •
Cii or Limping . The southwest is good, and the northeast is not pro -
missing . It is a time to see an influential man . Persevering will bein g
good luck .

Zhan(c$ )or hints on divining

1. This is an August hexagram . It is good in fall, bad in spring, suggest s

you will be getting sick in winter .
2. Cŭ or limping, is one of four evil hexagrams in I Ching . There
is a rolling stream in foreground and a high mountain behind ,
suddenly you find a tiger gazing at you through the woods . This i s
the image of hexagram cŭ or limping .
3. You planned to go on a long vacation and just then you got lai d
off your job and must save your money instead . You decide to


284 The Tao Of 1-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 28 5

spend the time studying a long-term skill you want to acquire, 3. Always remind oneself that things might have been worse .
and enroll in a course at the community college .
• 11.A31E W
0 4th Yao . To go ahead you will find difficulty, but coming back wil l
0
0 YaoTsi( J~ŭ) D bring unity .
-
C

7JA• 1 •J Zhan ()Sg

1st Yao . Going ahead leads to difficulties, but coming back will ear n
you praise .
Zhan (t5 )
1. Just as you are about to ask your girlfriend to marry, you ge t
involved in a terrible argument over some trivial thing that is no t
important . You decide you better wait awhile and see if you ca n
learn to get along better. It works .
2. Even a lame turtle can travel a thousand miles which means per-
sistence ensures success .
3. A person's true color is revealed only in the long run .
2nd Yao . The king's servant runs into one difficulty after another ,
yet they are not his fault .
r-,44.4'x4
•
:: : 3. Unity of purpose is a formidable force .
1. Your car runs into a ditch, you damage it getting out, then mak e
the damage worse by continuing on, because you are taking a injure d
person to the hospital .
2. When you go to fix the leaky faucet it breaks open, when you shu t
the valve off, it breaks apart, then the pipe splits, you wind u p
rebuilding the whole system since you have no choice .
3rd Yao . To go ahead you will find difficalty, so you come back .
Zhan ( ) their business with great success .
1 . You are able to return to the proper path after going astray .
2 . You should retreat as fast as possible in the face of somethin g
you don 't like .
1. You want to talk to a friend who is angry and for no reason, but yo u
realize you can't change his mind . You go and talk to his othe r
friends, and you all wait for the chance to do something good .
2. The realization of good things is usually proceded by rough goings .
3. Don't aim too high, while caring nothing about the practical founda -
tion.
)La • is N131
middle of the worst difficulties, friends come to help .
5th Yao . In the
Zhan (c$)
1. Your neighbor and his family are driven from their apartmen t
by a fire. You call up friends and get them settled temporaril y
and find clothes for them to wear in the morning .
2. Happiness lies in rendering help to others .
±iA•11#3Ka• A • JR A• 0
6th Yao . Going forward leads to troubles, coming back leads to th e
best good fortune . It is a time for seeing the influential man . Q
Zhan ( )
1 . You retire from your business so you can take up a new and mor e
important pursuit with great enthusiasm . Just as you are getting
started, your old partners ask for your help, as they are in trouble .
So you give it up for awhile and succeed in helping them reorganiz e
2. You have the courage to do what is right regardless of consequences .
3 . Make up your mind to work from early in the morning till late at
night !


286 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 28 7

f■u
.1 Window of the hexagra m n
Ji e
40
1. The Chinese character IQ means "to life" as in a flag . This connote s
Thunder above having the intended effect .
Water belo w 2. A sword is stuck in the ground . This means an end to fighting .
Loosening 3. A rabbit is running. This means to have no doubt .
4. An official is sitting on the clouds . This means a meteoric rise o f
social position .
5. A crowing rooster is in the yard . This means one will be heard a t
a great distance .
6. A Taoist priest points at the door with his index finger . This mean s
the way to paradise .
7. A taoist priest offers a book . This means having a good time to offe r
a plan or advice to others .

Image and Symbo l

®AWC2 • V*ff4 FlI 2. z

The image is a prisoner being released from jail .
The symbol is grass and trees starting to grow abundantly .

Kua Tsi (C T xf ) a
C—
• fill • ~1T • A 3 fkA • 1~t • A* .
Jie or loosening . The southwest is a good place to look . If there i s
nowhere you have to go, it is good to return . If you still have som e
place to go, it is good fortune to complete things quickly .

Zhan ( ) or hints on divinin g

1 . This is a December hexagram . It is good in summer bad in fal l

and winter .
2, Jef or loosening is like a prisoner being released from jail, or afte r
heavy rain, the weather becomes sunny . Difficulties and troubles
all go away .
3 . After separating and failing for weeks to settle your squabbles,


28 8 The Tao Of 1-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 28 9

you and your wife suddenly come to a time when you see eye to 2 . One has a sense of shame and honor only when his livehood is
eye . You quickly decide to get together again and resume your assured .
regular life . 3 . It is good to pretend to hear and know nothing sometimes .
C 0
o YaoTsi( ) 0 4th Yao. Get yourself away from your big toe . Then a good perso n
C- J comes along, and you can trust him .
VA . Tt-
1st Yao . There is no blame . ZhanO 1g

I Zhan ( r$ ) 1. You have no money and the people you hang around with ar e
stagnant and insincere . You decide it is getting you down, an d
1. All the arguments have been cleared up, and you resume you r though it is hard at first, you take up better habits . Then you r
regular life, taking it easy at first . chance comes along .
2. You will bad luck into good fortune . 2. Financial matters should be settled clearly even between best friend s
turn or brothers .
2nd Yao . You kill three foxes in the field and get a yellow arrow . 3. Your plan will fail or be discarded before it gets started .
Persevering brings good luck . 0
c'-4 X4x 4 x 4-x 4x 4
5th Yao . If the only person who can help you is yourself, it is good
Zhan (r$ ) 1 luck . It proves to second-rate people that you are serious about things .
4 , . .r_,4K-,x41J

1. Your colleagues tried to talk the boss into a rash scheme tha t
appealed to his greed . You object and you work hard collecting
documentary evidence of your view, and it turns the tide .
2. He who caused the dispute is the only one to resolve it .
3. If a patient consults I Ching, getting this Yao, the situation is serious .
They may need an operation .
i\ -
3rd Yao . If a man carries a heavy load on his back, yet he rides in a
carriage, he is going to attract robbers . To persist this way leads t o
an upset . 4,
Zhan(c$ )
Zhan (E5 )
1 . You say you want to do better and your friends laugh at you .
You think it over and see that they just detract from you, an d
you resolve to do things on your own . They see your attitude
change and you begin to make progress and they leave you alone .
Good companions have good influence while bad ones have ba d
influence .
3 . The opportunity seems very near, as if right before your eyes .
6th Yao . The prince shoots at a hawk on a high wall and kills it. Every -
thing furthers the situation .

1 . You have all sorts of difficult obligations, yet when you get a littl e
money you go out and spend it having a good time . A conma n
sees what a lazy fool you are and tries to talk you into a schem e
to cheat your employers . Shocked, you realize your own ba d
habits attracted this man .
k
Zhan ( )
1 . The civic organization you belong to has become worthless, because
its leader just likes to play games and do nothing . Appeals fail ,
so you lay your plans and get him voted out of office the next


290 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 291

election . He leaves reviling you but the organization begins t o

become alive again .
2. It seems too high to be reached, but you will get there . Sŭn
41
3. You are one notch better than average people.
Mountain abov e
Lake belo w
Decrease


292 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 293

Window of the hexagram YaoTsi()l~ŭ )

C

1. Two people sit face to face drinking . This indicates joy and pleasure .
WA • B*itt• • l i s•
1st Yao. To go to help quickly when your tasks are done is blameless .
2. The wine bottle has fallen on the table . There is nothing one can
But you have to think about how much you may lesson others in taking
drink.
help .
3. A ball is on the ground . Means ones expectations cannot be realized .
4. There are two Chinese characters that mean "one cannot
Zhan (t )
expect everything the first time ; one has to try again and again
for success."
1. You have a friend who always helps out when you are in need .
Image and Symbo l You decide to learn from this and to be helpful like he is . There i s
prosperity in helping others .
W*A*ZW ' N±RI-JZ* • 2. Service begets happiness .
The image is drilling underground and finding water . 3. Heaven helps those who help themselves .
The symbol is many small particles of earth will make a mountain . ._ ftl> •ICI •0* Z
2nd Yao . It is a time to persevere, but not a time to do things on your
own . Without decreasing yourself, you can bring increase to others .
rt.• xkx.• x4-x• x •
Kua Tsi 3C .T P
Zhan ( L )
- vx.•x•x-+x .• _

1. You work for someone else, not yourself . Instead of being to o

Sin or Decrease brings the highest good fortune when it is combine d
with sincerity, and there are no regrets . It is a time to be perseverin g
and to undertake something. How? You can use two small bowls fo r
the sacrifice.
Zhan ( ) or hints on divining
1. This is a July hexagram . It is good in summer, fall, bad in winter .
2. Two small bowls for the sacrifice means to restrain one's wrat h
and repress one's desires. If you can do this, God will bless you .
3. You were miserable at your high paying job with all its luxuries an d
false friends . Finally, in desperation you gave it all up to take
a much lesser paying job you really love . The only friends you hav e
left are the ones who were sincere, and when you get together t o
relax, you do it modestly and have ten times more fun than before .
eager to please, you act in a serious and dignified manner, an d
everyone benefits .
2. It is easy to dodge an open attack but difficult to escape from a
clandestine one .
3. One is apt to lose possession of what has been gotten easily .
A = = AFT •PM—A• — AFT • MU -
3rd Yao. When three people travel together, the number is decrease d
by one . When one man travels alone, he finds a friend .
Zhan ( )
1. When you meet with your two friends the conversation alway s
seems to go around in circles when you discuss what to do . Whe n
you meet with only one of them, you settle it quickly .
2. If three of us are walking together : at least one of the other two


294 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 29 5

is good enough to be my teacher . 2 . What one accomplishes should not be a private advantage, but rathe r
3 . The gain more than compensates the loss. should be for the public good and available to everyone .
i~ P9 • *A •
4th Yao . If you decrease your bad habits, it makes the other perso n
come quickly to rejoice . There is no bad feeling .

Zhan(L )

1. You have a good friend, but his constant pessimism and passivit y
is a disappointment . Then he decides to do something seriou s
about it, and you find he is twice as much fun to know .
2. A true gentleman is glad to admit his own mistakes .
3. You should correct your faults once you are aware of them .
A • 'cam •+AA •4A • -t • 0
5th Yao . Someone increases him . Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppos e
this . The highest good fortune.

Zhan( )

1. You look for a good mate, but never seem to find anyone yo u
feel is special for you . Then one day this happens, and it is s o
different and so strong, it is as if fate itself brings it about .
2. You work hard at what interests you, sometimes its goes well ,
sometimes it plods along, and you persist . Then one day everything
falls into place and goes well, and it is as if all the good impulse s
you've had have come together .
3. It is a most auspicious omen .
± jt • MA a • tt4 • a • ~J TSt 'tt ~ ' • 0
6th Yao . If you increase yourself without decreasing other people ,
this is blameless . It is a time for perseverance and undertaking somethin g
worthwhile . You find servants, but no longer live in a separate hous e
from them . 0

Zhan( Li )

1 . You decide to study how to live a good life and you succeed an d
prosper . Then you decide to share what you know with others ,

r
and help everyone to prosper .


296 The Tao Of 1-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 297

Yi Window of the hexagra m n

42 Wind abov e
Thunder belo w
1. An official holds a small box . People adhering to the same principles
will map their plans together .
Increase 2. A person pushes a wooden car . This means to seize an opportunity .
3. There is a deer and a coin . This is a good omen about wealth or a
job, and one should act without hesitation .

Image and Symbo l

The image is that a crying snow goose encounters strong headwinds .

The symbol is a constant drip of water can fill a river .
r-,
q
q KuaTsi( 9 f q
q
4 • #i 4N4 . AOisJl l
Yi or Increase . It furthers you to do something . It is a time for crossin g
the great water .

Than ( ) or hints on divinin g

1. This is a July hexagram . It is bad in spring and fall .

2. There are three kinds of beneficial friends : honest friends, under-
standing friends and learned friends .
3. You have been doing allright in your life, but now you experienc e
a time when everything seems to further your highest visions, an d
you decide to act on this now while circumstance are propitious .

q 0
q Yao Tsi ()rJ . ;c ) q
C- v

1st Yao . It is beneficial to accomplish great deeds . The highest good

fortune . There is nothing to blame . 0


2 98 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 29 9

Zhan (I ) Zhan (r )
1. Your boss' business is expanding and he gives you an opportunit y 1. Your boss decides to move his business to larger quarters and put s
to develop a new part of it . You work at it with energy, and every - you in charge. You coordinate everything, making sure no on e
one comes to benefit from it . is short-changed, and the great change goes well .
2. Your wisdom increases as your age increases . 2. A change of place is advisable .
~c • aZfM .iN • i •*1 A•~~ •O 3. Advantage will be found in the south east .
2nd Yao . Someone indeed increase him, and ten pairs of tortises canno t )f. .$ ' ;~4'L' • t lLl 7G • * - E a' • O
oppose it . His constant perseverance brings good fortune . The kin g 5th Yao. If you really have a kind heart, you do not ask questions .
presents him before God . Good fortune . 0 The highest good fortune . Kindness will be recognized as your virtue . C)
I--4 x .4x,4-x4'x 4~c 4

Zhan ( G$ ) Zhan ( )

1. You take up a civic project and there is a sudden surge of interes t
in it . Instead of relaxing a little, you continue to use all the energy
you have to carry it forward, and the end results are beyond wha t
anyone dreamed possible .
2. You will increase your riches .
3. You should straighten up a complicated or messy situation b y
taking drastic steps and with dispatch .
VI* *
3rd Yao . You are benefitted by unfortunate events . There is nothin g
to blame if you are sincere and walk in the middle, and report to th e
prince with a letter and seal .
( 11 . .Z .ZZMZZZ. . Z
1. You see someone who needs help and feel sympathy for him. You
help him get out of trouble and you never think to ask if he deserves
it or is grateful . People see you do this and it makes them less stingy
and suspicious .
2. If you persist in working hard, you will suddenly become wealth y
and influential.
3. Your stratagem is so wonderful, it seems to be conceived by divin e
beings .
6th Yao . He increases no one . Someone even strikes him . He doe s
not keep his heart steady . Bad luck. .

Zhan ( ) Zhan ( )
NON/ N/ N/N./v/N•
ZZZZZ=ZZZZZZZZ xZ .

1. There is an economic depression and the moderate savings yo u
have you can now use to ten times more effect since no one has
any money . You use it to start up a business that requires a lo t
of workers, and thus you profit many others as well as yourself .
2. You will have unforeseen trouble .
3. A determined effort can accomplish any kind of task .
®• T • f y`U • fiJ)'I=11M5- • 0-F
4th Yao . If you walk in the middle and report to the prince, he wil l
follow . It is good for your services to be used in the removal of th e
capital. 0
1. Your friend has good luck in making money, but it doesn't improv e
him any . He is even less considerate of people, and wastes his
money on luxuries . You see less of him and one day you hea r
he has fallen in with bad people who stole most of his money .
2. The good circumstance doesn't last long .
3. While two dogs fight for a bone, a third runs away with it .
4. Haughtiness invites losses while modesty brings profit .


30 0 The Tao Of 1-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 30 1

Window of the hexagram V.J

KuT J:
43
1. Two people travel together, but before reaching their destination ,
Lake abov e they encounter water, fire, a tiger and a snake . This means to suffe r
Heaven below all the hardships there are .
Decisio n 2. A man uses a sword to kill a snake . This means a brave person .
3. There is the Chinese character 3C meaning "literature" on a fla g
tied to a post. Below the post there is a pile of coins . This mean s
after enduring hardships one finds fame and wealth .

Image and Symbo l

01101C'M • 5#cli 'tom* •

The image is to use a divine sword to kill a flood dragon .
The symbol is decreasing at first, but afterwards increasing .
0
Kua Ts i 0
0

Kui or Decision . You must resolutely make things known at the court
of the king, and announce the news truthfully . Danger . It is a time t o
do something worthwhile .

Zhan ( ) or hints on divining

1. This is a march hexagram . It is good in summer and fall, bad in

winter .
2. One Yin Yao governs five Yang Yaos, so it is a Yin hexagram. Th e
Yin Yao at the top position, represents a bad man, all of the othe r
five Yang Yaos want to drive this Yin Yao away .
3. You sense that people are so fed up with the dozens of pett y
burglaries in your community that they are ready to act as one .
You go to the newspaper and convince them to print an editoria l
recommending they avoid wasting money by hiring more police ,
and get burglar alarms instead, and open a center for rehabilitatin g

1
juvenile delinquents .

3 02 The Tao Of I-Ching
Yao Tsi ()hJ it j )
1st Yao . You are mighty in your toes . If you go and are not equal t o
the work, you are making a mistake . •
Zhan ( )
1. Opportunity is opening up fast and you are ready to rush out an d
take advantage of it . Then you realize you are unprepared an d
have no clear ideas of what to do, and you sit down and work
things out, and then wait for the right moment .
2. It's better to be the boss of a small group than a top lieutenan t
in a large organization .
3. Someone will give you a hard time .
2nd Yao . There is a cry of alarm . People carry arms at evening an d
night . Fear nothing .
r7-4 x4x4x4x4,. 4
t Zhan
$44 x 4'11
1. Rumors fly that your company's new advances will be swept awa y
by new tactics from your competitors . But you have been followin g
things closely and know exactly what's going on and how to meet it .
2. There is no danger when there is preparedness .
3. You should carry out an undertaking from start to finish, not givin g
up halfway .
AL=• t1 • g -T- A- A• 4T al • • fig •i~ •
3rd Yao. To be strong in the cheekbones brings poor fortune . Th e
superior person is strongly resolved . He walks alone and gets caugh t
in the rain and spatter with mud, and people talk against him . Ther e
is nothing to blame .
Zhan (r ) 3 . It is still not too late to feel regret and change what you are plannin g
Everyone is attacking corruption right now, but you have you r
own ideas. You keep up relations with a corrupt person you have
Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 30 3
to deal with and show no sign of discontent . This lulls them into
a false sense of security and weakens them for the coming attack .
Thus while your friends think you betray them, you help them out .
2 . When you try to get temporary pleasures, you should first be awar e
of the adverse consequences .
3 . The situation is like the roaring water carrying away the dam .
/ L K~ • /Ll • 1J tL • T t • T ,B • •
4th Yao . There is no skin on his thighs, and it is hard to walk . If h e
would let himself be led like a sheep, he would lose any bad feelings .
But if these words are heard, they will not be believed . •
Zhan (c5 )
1. "I must do this my own particular way " your friend says, when
you offer him a chance to join with others to get things done .
"Joining with us would help you solve your problems easily" yo u
protest, but he glares at you and continues to suffer by doing thing s
the hardway .
2. The rain fell all night and the roof leaked . Now one will meet an
added misfortune .
3. Good tools are a prerequisite to the successful execution of a job .
5th Yao In getting rid of weeds, you have to have strong resolution .
If you walk in the middle, you will remain free of blame .
Zhan ( )
An exploitive company has been cheating your firm in little ways .
You look up the records and find your firm makes alot of incom e
from them . You decide to find ways you can increase busines s
with others, and then get rid of this client .
2 . Someone will return evil for your good will .
to do .
6th Yao . There is no cry of warning . Later on there is bad luck . •


3 04 The Tao Of 1-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 30 5

Zhan ( r$ )
G0u krci
1. The exterminator gets rid of the termites and you ignore it whe n
you see a couple of survivors crawling around the next day . The n
six months later you wake up in the middle of the night and hea r
them gnawing in the walls again !
44 Heaven abov e
Wind belo w
Meeting
2. Because no preventive measures are taken, an endless flow o f
disasters follow .
3. If you go to the east, you can pursue good fortune and shun th e
course of calamity .


306 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 30 7

your wallet and your car are gone .

n Window of the hexagram
n YaoTsi( A 52. )
1. An official shoots an arrow at a deer . This means you may hav e
the job you are looking for .
2. There is a Chinese character 1 meaning happiness on a document . I st Yao . It has to be halted with a bronze brake . Persistence no w
This means it is a good time to create or to write something . brings good fortune . If you let it run its course, you are in bad luck .
3. Two persons each hold an end of a rope . This means a dispute, Even a lean pig has it in him to rage around .
or endless involvement .
4. A person with a worn green garment points out the direction for Zhan ( r$ )
you to follow . This means there will be severe hardship at first ,
but someone will help you and the road to success will then b e 1. "Better get a check-up," your wife says when you report a mino r
smooth . pain . "It's nothing" you think, and forget about it . Three months
later you suddenly turn white, fall on the floor, and begin writhin g
Image and Symbo l in pain .
2. Your remarks are not appealing to the other side . The better wa y
is to change them .
The image is that of the winds mingling with the clouds . 3. Someone will induce you to do something bad .
The symbol is either gathering together, or separating . • •Ts f0M •
2nd Yao . The fish is in the tank . This is blameless. It does not further
0
0 guests .
0 Kua Tsi (~C {_ ' C 0
G
• k ;kE • `ij fA lV k • I Zhan (•r • ) T
Gou or Coming to meet . The maiden is powerful . One should no t
marry such a person . 1. You're the secretary and your boss is in a foul, stupid mood, bu t
he's stuck in his office, busy with some routine work . You giv e
Zhan () or hints on divining anyone who comes by a warning look, and they leave him alone .
2. Try to avoid mistakes paining your friends and pleasing you r
1. This is a May hexagram . It is good in fall, bad in spring, mayb e enemies .
sick in summer and having arguments and trouble in winter . 3. After observing a person's faults and failings, one will understan d
2. One Yin Yao grows on the bottom to govern five Yang Yaos . It i s what he is .
~
a Yin hexagram . L =. • /l+ 1~ • A"I~-rJ J\
{,-
2] . • • JL. /\ q

3. It can mean a woman who is very active in social functions or on e 3rd Yao . There is no skin on his thighs and it is hard to walk . If h e
who has many lovers . It means a marriage needs balance, becaus e is mindful of the dangers, there is no great mistake .
either woman or man is too Yang or strong and it is not an idea l l Z

couple .
4. You meet a woman who ' s a flirt in a bar, and you think, this is onl y
C Zhan ( )

harmless fun . Hours later you wake up in the alley out back and I . You want to go out and party with your dissolute friends in th e


3 08 The Tao Of 1-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 309

worst way, even though you have a heavy load of work to do .

But you have no money . Finally you realize this is good luck ,
and you settle down .
2. The things which cannot be revealed to others will be public know -
ledge soon .
3. It is very good to cover up another's bad deeds and praise his virtues .
4th Yao . There is no fish in the tank . This leads to bad luck . •
"`i Zhan ( )Itg
1. You are stand offish with the gas station man a block from yo u
home because he's a grimy individual . Now your car won't start,
and a tow truck is going to have to come from five miles awa y
and charge a big fee for it .
2. A single post cannot support a mansion .
3. The higher price you have paid is the result of what you have gained .
Zhan ( )
1 . You go to work at a place where your fellow workers are alway s
talking about trivial and boring and even distasteful subjects . You
don't pass the time of day with any of them, and they gossip about
how there must be something wrong with you . You are very happ y
with all this because it gives you time for really interesting things .
2. When you climb a mountain, near the peak the road becomes steep ,
and sometimes disappears entirely . This is the same with an under -
takin approching completion . It is the most difficult stage an d
one needs patience to reach the end .
3. The moon begins. to wane the moment it becomes full .

5th Yao . A melon is covered with willow leaves . There are hidde n
lines . Finally it drops down to you from heaven .

Zhan ( ur )

1. The fellows who work for you are disorganized and poorl y
motivated . Instead of annoying lectures on conduct and such ,
you just assign them to their jobs without comment, and do your
own job quietly . After a while you discover they have becom e
quite competent and even take a little pride in this .
2. Things take care of themselves when the right time comes .
3. You will get that job . It is for you like catching a bug in a jar . It
has no way of escape .

6th Yao. He comes to meeting with his horns . This is humiliating .

There is nothing to blame . •


3 10 The Tao Of 1-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 31 1

n Window of the hexagra m

Cal =t=

45
1. A man cuts and polishes a piece of jade . This means to achiev e
Lake abov e self-renewal by ones inner efforts .
Earth belo w 2. A monk points to a child and a fish is on the fire . There is goo d
Gathering luck, but not too much .
3. A phoenix hold a letter in its beak. This is a good omen .

Image and Symbol - ° ~

The image is a fish and a dragon gathering together .

The symbol is of water soaking and decending .
C—
o Kua Tsi ( _F
.'&i )
%

Cal or Gathering. There is success . The king approaches the temples .

It is time to see an influential person, it will bring success . It is a tim e
for perseverance, and to make great offerings creates success . It is a
time to do things .

Zhan (LIS ) or hints on divinin g

1. This is a June hexagram. It is good in spring and fall .

2. The symbol of cal' or gathering is a common carp, the 6th Yao is
carp's mouth . The 4th and 5th Yao are the gills . The 1st, 2nd and
3rd Yao are the scales . When the carp jumps over the dragon gate i t
is an omen of success in service examinations .

3 12 The Tao Of I-Ching
3 . The whole town gathers together for a special picnic to celebrate
a national holiday . You help organize the children to put on a
special show, and then clean up all the debris afterwards . The y
remember the happiness of working and playing together all yea r
long.
L.
n Yao Tsi ( sc ) O
1st Yao. If you are sincere, but not entirely, there will sometime s
be confusion and sometimes gathering together . If you call out you r
distress, then after one grasp of the hand, you can laugh again . There
is nothing to regret . Going this way is blameless .
Zhan (~$ )_ or hints on divinin g
1. Everyone in your group agrees the time is right for some grea t
undertaking, but discussion wavers back and forth, and nothin g
is done . Finally someone says, "We need a leader" and someon e
else says, "I will organize the whole thing!" Everyone is happ y
and things begin to move .
2. You will find yourself in a very embarrassing situation, at a loss
whether to cry or to laugh .
3. Don't seek advice from an ignorant person .
A T. • la
• :~ • 73ftJ= •
2nd Yao . Letting yourself be drawn is good luck and blameless . If
you are sincere, it is good luck to bring even a small donation .
Zhan ( r$ )
,x .,. .R .x .x . v
1. You think, "What should I do? This? That?" Then you fin d
yourself being drawn to a group of people who share and shar e
alike .
2. To avoid temptation helps one retain presence of mind .
3. It will happen naturally out of your desire for it .
~. _ *b lab • tl6c fU • i • ,j. .
3rd Yao . Gathering together amid sighs . Nothing furthers . But to g o
is without blame . There is slight humiliation .
Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 31 3
:5=
Zhan (c$ )
:5=22=11=jS=SS ZiS
1 . You see a group of people you'd like to join, but the time ha s
passed and everyone is "set" with what they have . You find th e
person in the group you have most in common with, and you tak e
up a modest relationship with him . Later this person has see n
You are allright and introduces others to you .
2 . Don't criticize or make comments on something once it is complete .
over.
3 . Someone will give you a chance to make the best of your abilities .
4th Yao. Great good. luck . Blameless . 0
Zhan(i$) Sg
1. You go out and talk to everyone in your apartment about donatin g
some time or money to a community project . People are impresse d
by your own willingness to help, and the whole thing prospers .
2. The difficult task will finally come to completion .
3. The wise person looks ignorant because be never shows off .
5th Yao. If in gathering together you have a position, this is not blame .
If there are some who are not yet sincerely joining the work, the n
you need sublime and enduring perseverance. Then disappointmen t
disappears .
Zhan(c$)
The boss gives you a special temporary assignment to direct a
project . The people you work with think you have no ability, bu t
they must work with you . You do your best and after awhil e
they feel you know what you're doing .
2. What's gone is gone .
3. You should think of the better possibilities of that situation .
-LA 1M$P A
6th Yao . Lamenting and sighing ; floods of tears . This is blameless .


3 14 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 31 5

Zhan ( c$ )
Sheng ~t -
46
1. You ask your sweetheart to marry you, but she says no, becaus e
she thinks you aren't really sincere . When she sees how upset yo u Earth abov e
are at her answer, her eyes are opened, and she agrees to reconsider . Wind belo w
2. You will lead a tranquil life without worldly desires . Ascendin g
3. You have a firm grasp of what is right and wrong .


316 The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 31 7

1 n Window of the hexagra m D

G-
YaoTsiO~9~x )

1. A rain falls from the clouds . This means sharing the benefits tha t
1st Yao. Shag or Ascending that meets with confidence brings the
someone else produces.
greatest good luck . O
2. A carpenter with a yard stick prepares to saw . This means one
should get rid of bad habits, then one will be able to achieve th e
Zhan ( )
good .
3. A person polishes a brass mirror . This means to clarify one' s
1. You go to look for a better job and your prospective boss ca n
thinking so one can see things accurately .
tell you have the abilities he needs and hires you with a generou s
4. A mirror is on a frame . This means to exercise self-control to kee p
salary .
oneself from being drawn into immoral actions .
2. You will attain high ranks and acquire great wealth .
3 Wealth and honor come to us only of their own accord .
Image and Symbo l

2nd Yao. If you are sincere, it is worthwhile to bring even a small

offering . There is no blame in this . 0
The image is the growing tree in a high mountain .
The symbol is of small things accumulating until they become great . rt4 x.-x4x4x 4 . 41

q0 L ■
(CrJ )4v

C-
Kua Tsi (3~ '
10 0
1. Your prospective employer says, "He looks a little unconventiona l
and certainly didn't go out of his way to impress me with fanc y
Sheng or Ascending has the greatest success . You must see an influential clothes, but I can tell he knows the job . "
person . Don't worry . Travelling towards the south brings good luck . 2. The moment a pole is erected under the sun, it throws its shado w
upon the ground, which means the outcome may be know n
immediately .
Zhan ( r$ ) or hints on divining
3 . One should use one's mental resources to the fullest .

1. This is an August hexagram, it is good in spring and fall . A=•3t-IE • O

3rd Yao . You advanced into an empty city .
2. The lower trigram Sin is wood, the upper trigram Kiln is earth .
This is like a seed under the ground to grow a tree, that needs tim e __ _
Zhan (1:$ )
to push through the resistance of earth and grow . This is Sheng
means.
1 . You reach a point where everything you do prospers and you wonde r
3 . You find new opportunities are opening in your career as you r
if it will suddenly end . Then you think "It is more importan t
skill increases . You put this all to work by setting out to wor k
to concern myself with not wasting any of this time ."
at a higher level .
2. Everything goes smoothly like walking in a park .
3 . Good ideas come at times of crisis .
~~ P9 1~thC W • q • JiE
4th Yao. The king offers him Mount Qi . Good luck . No blame.


3 18 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 31 9

N Than(L)
Kŭ n
47
1. You used to believe in yourself no matter what others thought .
Now everyone important believes in you, too . Lake abov e
2. When the leaders do not set a good example, how can they expec t Water below
the subordinate to behave well ? Oppression
3. It is a lucky occurrence in the course of a disaster, such as in a
violent car accident, being only slightly injured .

5th Yao . Persistence is good luck . You ascend the stairs .

Zhan ( )

1. Things are easy now and if you make little mistakes, no one wil l
notice. But instead you take each step carefully and thoroughly .
2. To reach a high position, one must start from a low position an d
do one's duties well .
3. You are very skillful in finding a powerful patron to advance you r
career .
_EA • X 3I' *I.ITTT , . lA • •
6th Yao. Ascending in the dark. You have to be relentlessly persevering .

Zhan ( K5 )

1. You find you can expand in any direction you look in . Then yo u
remember that the only expansion that will work is one you pla n
carefully and clearly .
2. It is a very dangerous act, like a blind man riding a blind hors e
in a crowded street .
3. You are so arrogant that no one is worth anything in your eyes.


320 The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 32 1

C—'
0 0
Yao Tsi ( ] {4- Q ) 0
Window of the hexagram L`J 0 0
-
C
1.
I1 A • %► T%* • JET'• —Act*,• •
You sit oppressed under a leafless tree and wander into a
A loose wheel fallen on the ground signifies not knowing what to do . 1st Yao .
2. A sick person is lying in bed . You still have a lot of troubles . gloomy valley . You see nothing for three years . •
3. A pottery jar for cooking medicines means you are always sick .
4. An official pours water into a dry pond to save the fish . An omen Zhan (r$ )
of resurrection .
5. Grass grows in the pool . This means having good ideas . 1. Fortune goes against you and you fall into a stupor . You becom e
convinced you "don't have what it takes" and likewise that "yo u
Image and Symbo l can't win in this world ." You are destroying yourself and don' t
even know it .
Mt *21R - q 8tNi . 2. If you want to do a good job, you have to plan thoroughly so a s
The image is no water in the river . to take into consideration every aspect of it .
The symbol is to stand on one's own feet and bide one's time . 3. You seek something from a wrong source, like eliming a tree t o
0
get a fish .
El Kua Tsi (~ ) o
C-
2nd Yao . You are oppressed while you sit before meat and drink . Th e
man with the scarlet knee bands is just coming . It is time to offer
Kiln or Opression . There is success in perseverance . The great perso n sacrifices, to set forth right now is bad luck . There is no blame .
brings good luck . There is nothing to blame . When you have somethin g
17-4 x4"ac 4 x 4- x 4 r 4
to say, no one listens to you . Zhan (r$ )
~4r Y♦n 4-11J

i_ Zhan( l )
, • = i"__ or hints on divinin g
1. This is a May hexagram. It is good in spring bad in summer an d
winter, and may indicare an argument or quarrel with other in th e
fall .
2. Kiln or oppression is one of four evil hexagrams in I Ching . Th e
upper trigram Kan is like a reservoir leaking all its water onto th e
lower trigram, Kun, or Earth . So the reservoir is empty and canno t
irrigate the farms, and supply people with water to drink .
3. The people around you think nothing of your skills and less o f
your personal influence . You say nothing and pay attention t o
everything that is happening because you intend some day to b e
part of it.
1. Everything is prospering but you are going out of your mind wit h
boredom and irritability . Then you see a chance — an excitin g
opportunity appears. But it is not clear how to get hold of it, s o
you think over your visions and what you really want, and hop e
to find the way .
2. An innocent man gets into trouble because of his tatents .
3. You have talent but no opportunity to use it .
6c Tom•# M . 0
. ATA '•AA •K
3rd Yao . A man lets himself be oppressed by stone, and leans on thorn s
and thistles . He comes home and does not even see his wife . Bad luck.•
Zhan (G$ )
1 . You want to make progress, but every way you turn, you blunder .
A small matter convinces you a promising path is no good, an d


322 The Tao Of l-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 32 3

then you think to find support in something that actually is worth -

less . You are so obsessed with yourself, you do not even notice you r Zhan ( c5 )
friends .
2. The symbol of this Yao is like a home in ruins and family member s You feel shaken after your auto accident, and stay home all the
scattered . It is a very bad omen . time . When you go out driving you nearly have a disaster becaus e
3. Domestic scandals should not be publicized . you are so unsure of yourself. Then one day you get angry a t
.P1• 3K• a ;TAk*•Wo g yourself and decide to have no more of this nonsense . Immediately
you recover your composure and can drive safely again .
4th Yao . He comes quietly and softly, oppressed in a golden carriage .
He is humiliated, but finally reaches his goal . 2. The moral of troops will be high if they fight for a just cause . How
do we relate this to our daily life ?
Zhan(r$ ) 3. What has that got to do with you?

1. You feel sympathy for the poor people who live down the bloc k
and want to get to know them and their troubles . You friend s
tell you they are all bad, and you are acting like a fool . Then on e
day you feel energetic and follow your impulse, and all goes well .
2. You need to pay the bill, there is no money in the bank ; at thi s
critical time, someone helps you .
3. You have plans ready in your mind .
J1.f • JM• a: Tea • g 4N • #JAMTE
5th Yao . His nose and feet are cut off. There is oppression from th e
man with purple knee bands . Then joy comes softly . It is a time t o
make offerings and libations .

Zhan(r )

1. You want to do something to help the poor people in your town ,

but you find they are in such despair they turn you away angrily .
When you talk to the welfare officials, they laugh at you . So yo u
keep your impulse and your vision alive inside of you . Then one
day an opportunity comes to act just as you wanted, and you fee l
joy .
2. You try to be perfect only to receive reproaches .
3. Relying upon oneself is better than relying upon others .

6th Yao . He is oppressed by creeping vines . He moves feebly an d

says "movement brings troubles ." If he feels ashamed at this and pushe s
himself to start, good luck comes .


3 24 The Tao Of I-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 325

Jing . Window of the hexagra m

48
1. A god wearing golden armor holds a secret Taoist talismanic writing .
Water above This means to send down blessings from heaven .
Wind below 2. Two women embrace each other . Good fortune won't last forever .
Well 3. A pile of coins and jewels shines . Wealth .
4. A person falls into a well . This means to charge an innocent ma n
with falsehood .
5. An official saves the fallen person with a rope, indicating to escape
from danger .

Image and Symbo l

1" 'Ts' `
The image is of a pearl hidden in an abyss .
The symbol is to be content, is to be what one is .

#•aicM , d1(#• 3Ef~•43##•(z •?*t(M•* 11 •[J •

.Ting or the well . The town can be changed, but the well cannot change .
It doesn't increase or decrease . People come and go to draw fro m
the well . If you get down almost to the water and your rope is no t
long enough, or if your jug breaks, it's bad luck .

Zhan ( ~$ ) or hints on divining

1. This is a March hexagram . It is good in fall, bad in spring, ful l

in summer and having Chi ( ) or air in winter .
2. Jing is the symbol of drawing water from a well .

A cover of a wel l
Water drawing from a wel l
Curb of a wel l
Wate r
Source of the water


3 26 The Tao Of 1-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 3 27

3 . You feel a joy at simply being alive and getting up in the morning ,
and realize that this is your motivation and it never changes, an d Zhan (ru )
is the same for everyone . When you get into oppressed mood s
and can't experience this joy, or when you express it poorly, yo u 1. You have a friend with unusually advanced talents, but he ha s
find this is true bad luck . no connections and cannot find use for them . It seems a shame
C` and you pray that some influential person may some day see him
0
n0O YaoTsi()J2 ) 0
0 for what he is worth and help him find an outlet .
2. With two hands, , one can work miracles .
3. You will do a job made easy by outside help .
1st Yao . You don't drink the mud of the well, and no animals com e
to drink at a run down well . . 4th Yao . The well is being lined . This is blameless .

»Zhan ( rc5 ) - Zhan (u

r )
_-

1. You live aimlessly and let your life get run down, and find peopl e
are driven away from you by boredom, and no one even knows
you exist .
2. It is like crossing a river in a boat of mud ; this shows how dangerou s
the situation is .
3. Your feet sink deep in the mud . It is hard to move, and you ge t
into real trouble.
1. You feel your abilities are beginning to get worn and dim, so yo u
take a month off from work and spend the time resting and renovat -
ing your whole perspective of things . Then you go back refreshed .
2. It's difficult to serve under two bosses .
3. You will attain two objectives by a single act .
5th Yao. There is a clear, cold spring in the well . You can drink from it . O

2nd Yao . At the well, people shoot fishes . The jug is broken and leaks . ti Zhan(r$ )

Zhan (c5 )
1 . You had fine talents but never developed them, and so nothin g
is drawn out of them . You get so rundown you can't even draw
on them anymore .
2 . One works hard without achieving anything.
3 It's better to forget about it .
JLE • t %rfr • A11 , 0l'l • M& • AV A
3rd Yao. The well is clean, but no one drinks from it . This is m y
heart's sorrow, for people might draw from it . If the king were clear -
minded, this good fortune might be enjoyed by all .
1. You realize that most places you go to for refreshment becom e
empty at times, but there is one place you know that is alway s
fresh and full .
2 . Most of your friends you sometimes find very attractive and other
times find uninteresting . But you notice one person you kno w
who always leaves you feeling good .
6th Yao . You draw from the well without being hindered . And it is
always good . This is the highest good luck . 0
Zhan ( r5 )

1 . You find among your friends a person who is always fair and ful l
of vitality towards everyone around them . You think about i t


3 28 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 32 9

and realize this person has a tremendous influence in keeping your '
society healthy .
2. One will reach great virtues and magnificent achievements .
3. Everything starts to fall after it has reached its zenith . Ge
49 Lake above
Fire belo w
Revolution


330 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 33 1

Window of the hexagram n YaoTsi(]~ )

C
1. One handle of the cart is new, the other is broken off . If you get • Pr)X' •
the new one, then you have a handle to your name, and are know n Ist Yao . You are firm as if wrapped in the hide of a yellow cow .
for something .
2. There is a rabbit and a tiger . This is good, relating to the hour, day , Zhan ( )
month and year of the rabbit or of the tiger .
3. An official is there to push the car, and there is an official sea l 1. You plan big changes, but you realize the attempt is dangerou s
on the car . This means to get a break after a long period of bad luck . and risky, and the time is not right now . You wait .
4. A wide road leading everywhere . 2. Don't follow routine, leisurely procedures without thinking abou t
improvement .
Image and Symbo l 3. You should take appropriate measures that suit your special situation .
i L".. ' l9 TJ * A • 3E • 0
fJ WS • aN t Z* 2nd Yao . When your day comes, you can have a revolution . Starting
The image is a leopard being transformed to a tiger . is good luck . There is nothing to blame . 0
The symbol is to reform the old to the new . n'-4 xYx .•x4,4-4 X 41
Zhan (r$ )

L Kua Tsi ( 0

1. You tried for six months to get along better with your boss, because
• ' tJ f~ 7~ • 5-c fJ a •
• you wanted to be sure the problems weren't your fault . Now you
Ge or revolution . Your day comes and you are believed . The highes t see harmony is just not possible, and you go out and look for a
success is aided by persevering . Disappointment disappears . new job .
2. You have a great talent and an attenti ve mind .
Zhan ( r$) or hints on divinin g 3. You have to do a job while the favorable condition exists .

1. This is a February hexagram, it is good in winter, bad in sprin g
and fall .
2. You have bad habits you want to break but attempts lead onl y
to suffering and the frustration of failure . Then a time comes
when you sense things favor you and it is time to take a chanc e
again . You try, and this time you succeed and begin a new an d
better life .
3. After talking for a long time but being afraid to act, you and you r
wife agree your present jobs and life are not what you want, an d
you leave them and move to the country and open a nurser y
business.
3rd Yao . Starting right now is bad luck, persevering openly is dangerous .
When the talk about revolution has repeated itself three times, you
can be sure about making a start, and people will believe you .
Zhan ( )
1 . There's always random gossip and ill-will towards the boss wher e
you work, but on looking closer it turns out to be just small -
mindedness and pettiness . But now you see people are frightene d
and you hear the same complaint brought up again and again . Yo u
find out it is real and you get other workers to join with you i n
petitioning state authorities to investigate . They find corruption


3 32 The Tao Of 1-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 33 3

and unsafe practices and your boss gets fired and you all get someon e

t
better . Zhan ( r3 )
2. You should forge ahead disregarding of obstructions or failures . -es .
3 . The grudge like a large tree has its deep root . 1. The corrupt police department gets a new chief, and everyon e
ttt' on the department tries to look better now, and no one dares to b e
4th Yao Disappointment disappears . People believe in him . Changing caught in poor practices . The chief can see he doesn't have th e
the government is good luck now . best possible department and he settles down to slowly improv e
its standards and practices .
Zhan(c ) 2. Small resources pooled together can accomplish big things .
3. When the rain stops the sky clears up .
1. The councilman in your town who is always criticizing the others ,
discovers secret information of misdeeds and publicizes it . No w
everyone supports his criticisms, and better people are voted int o
office.
2. One should estimate one's strength or resources before acting .
3. A talented person will sooner or later distingnish himself despit e
temporary adversity .
EN 41- •
5th Yao . The great man changes like a tiger does . He is believed eve n
before he asks the oracle .

Zhan ( )

1. You get a new boss in your department at the plant and everyon e
can see he really knows his business and knows how to get goo d
things done . Long before he gets involved in conflicts with othe r
people who want to hamper your department, you are ready t o
support him loyally and know what to do .
2. A tiger father will not beget a dog son, which means there will be
no laggards among the childern of a brave or talented man .
3. Great men appear in response to the call of the times .

6th Yao . The great man changes like a panther, the lesser people mol t
in the face . Starting big things is bad luck . But to keep perserveving
is good luck .


3 34 The Tao Of 1-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 33 5

Window of the hexagra m

Din g
50
1. When the clouds clear away, the moon shines . This means to ris e
Fire abov e gradually .
Wind belo w 2. A magpie flies southward . Meaning to have an occasion for joy .
Caldron 3. A child wears a straw hat . This indicates a chance to give birth to a
son.
4. A person prepares to slash with a sword to guard against a possibl e
accident.
5. A wise man sits fearless of danger . Heaven blesses the virtuous .
6. There is a mouse meaning to take precautions against calamity .

Image and Symbo l

AfliniOT M
The image is to harmonize a previous relationship with a new one .
The symbol is to leave the old and take to the new .

0 Kua Tsi ( 0
0 0
G-' L.)

Ding or caldron . The highest good fortune . Success . 0

than ( ) n or hints on divining

1. This is a December hexagram, it is good in spring, bad in summe r

and fall .
2. The Ding is a huge caldron of bronze with three feet and two ear s
or handles. It was used in ancient time for cooking or as a sacrificia l
vessel . It is a national historical treasure ; though not many Chines e
people can any longer describe what a Ding is or what it looks like .

6 - - - Hsuan, device for carrying a Ding

5 ~~~ - - - -ears of a Din g
4
3 _ __belly of a Din g

2~/ - _feet of a Din g

1


336 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 33 7

3 . After years of study you are finished with college and enter th e
field you've chosen to make your life's work . You settle dow n Zhan( )
in your new life happily .
1. You are excellent at your job, but no one notices because thos e
YaoTsi(rlw` )
0 o skills aren't highly valued at the time . Instead of being embittered ,
you resolve to continue developing yourself . Then one day yo u
JIic• ; rah OW ;•§ Jul • see a job opening where your skill is greatly needed, and you r
1st Yao . A caldron with legs overturned helps to dump out stagnan t fortune is made .
material . He takes a concubine for the sake of her son . There is n o 2. To think deep and far ahead leads you to success .
blame . 3 You ought to make amends as quickly as possible .
fl, • ' #f fisk • it 3 = iY. • I-1 • •

_ Zhan ( ) 4th Yao . The legs of the caldron are broken . The prince's meal i s
spilled and he is soiled . Bad luck . •
I . You lose your old job and cannot find one like it because of change s
in industry . You decide there is no use in living in the past, an d K. Zhan ( r)
take up learning a new skill . You take a great loss in pay, but befor e
a year is passed you are receiving raises and beginning to establis h 1. Ambitiously you win a high post for yourself in a new company ,
yourself. and feel your fortune is made . Two months later you discover yo u
2. Do not give others cause to talk about you . are over your head in problems more difficult than you can handl e
3. You will establish a home and make achievements . and that your complacency was your downfall .
2. You should take every precaution at the beginning .
2nd Yao . There is food in the caldron . My fellows resent me, bu t 3. You ought to lower the standard and to he satisfied with the nex t
they can't hurt me . Good luck . best or less advanced situation .
rt.• r. • v.. ♦ w 1 ♦ x

Zhan (r5
. , ) •~ 5th Yao . The caldron has yellow handles, gold rings . It is a time t o
.
persevere .
1. You make sacrifices and devote yourself to excellence, only to
find less hard working people resent you for it . But it doesn' t ti Zhan ( rri )
matter, because the skills you are developing are taking you some -
where . 1. When you get promoted to head your department, all the me n
2. A standard of comparison comes from all quarters . you worked with as equals before are happy to support you, becaus e
3. You have to handle something without rigid application of dea d You know how to communicate with them . You think things
rules . over and realize your success depends entirely on their happines s
• ;If, 'rl' ' +- A• > 1 in being treated fairly and resolve never to lose sight of this .
3rd Yao . The handle of the caldron is altered . You are impede d 2. It is like a heroic deed performed by a straightforward man .
in your way of life . The fat of the pheasant goes uneaten . Once i t 3. Honest advice aften grates on the ear .
rains, disappointment is exhausted . Good luck comes . ~ ~t 1 u= . ;f 4' i . 0
6th Yao . The caldron has rights of jade . The highest good luck . There
k


Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 33 9

Zhen
1. You have a difficult task to carry out but it is so important to
you, you show the greatest patience and moderation in workin g
on it with others, while inside yourself you maintain the highes t
51 Thunder abor e
Thunder belo w
Thunde r
and most rigorous standards . Everything prospers .
2. As soon as a thing reaches its extremity, it reverses its course .
3. Even though you are in a state of the highest good luck, you hav e
to understand that what happens to a small part may affect th e
whole .


340 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 34 1

n Window of the hexagram Ulu C-

o~ Yao Tsi ( sc )
0
o

1. A man stands on the crag . This means to be in a dangerous position . ?DA • 31E bC • 1 if • •O
2. The flowers are in full bloom and a document hangs from a branch . 1st no . Zhen or thunder comes upset . Then happy laughter follows .
Spring is a good time to write . Good luck. O
3. A man pushes a car with a book in it . One needs special expres s
service . Zhan (~r$ )
4. A pile of coins and jewels is the omen of fame and wealth .
1. You find your two year old child who has been lost in the wood s
Image and Symbo l 18 hours. Everyone runs in alarm to see if he is hurt, and laugh s
in relief that he is all right .
~~'• ; ;i • 2. How can one expect to accomplish great feats without taking risks ?
The image is a tremendous clap of thunder . 3. It is purely a personal matter . There is no need to let others know .
The symbol is what can be clearly heard but cannot be seen . A- • 3K) •MA • Tjl, l • f9J • -t El f •
2nd Yao . Zhen or thunder comes and brings threat . A hundre d
KuaTsi ( ) thousand times you lose your treasures and have to climb the nin e
G— V hills. Don't go looking for them . After seven days you will get the m
• • 3r t, PA• x b rig • fsc ~~ • A- A .-t • back .
Zhen or thunder is successful . Thunder comes — startlement! Peopl e 17,4 x. 4'x 4 x 4 4
laugh uneasily . The thunder terrifies things for a hundred miles, an d Zhan (r$) T
he does not drop the sacrificial spoon and chalice .
1 . Your girlfriend tells you she is leaving you for another fellow .
than () or hints on divinin g You are terribly upset but decide you must accept this . You throw
yourself into other activities so as not to become obsessed with
1 . This is an October hexagram, it is good in all four seasons ; bu t your loss, and it works . After a couple months you feel all right .
especially good in summer . Later on — you find someone you like even better .
2 . Zhen or thunder is a pure hexagram . The image is of shock, 2. You always speak and behave as others do without views of you r
authority and movement . People are startled by the thunder; it is own .
trying to do something good so as to offend heaven . 3 . The sparrow's nest is occupied by a pigeon .
3 . You are out of work six months and everyone in the house is uneasy . y
Get a job, anything . Your wife tells you . A week later you com e 3rd Yao . Zhen or thunder comes and you feel distraught . If it pushe s
home with the news that you've found a new, higher post at a you to action, you will be free of bad luck . •
company 500 miles away and you will all have to move . Everyon e
is in a furor of upset and turmoil at adjusting, and you are carefu l Zhan( )
to see to it that everything is done right and nothing goes amiss .
1 . You work very hard at your new job, and do all right . The n
after your probationary period is over, you're fired . For days


34 2 The Tao Of' 1-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 34 3

you are totally depressed . Then you remember what the employe r

t Zhan ( ca )
told you — it wasn't your fault, the company had to cut back .
You push yourself into finding a new job, and the hard work yo u
did previously sets you up to do well in the new job . 1. You go to work Monday morning and find everyone running abou t
2. Ruin falls only on those who have weaknesses . in a disorganized way because the plant will close down . You
3. The head of an ox does not match the mouth of a horse . calmly gather together your personal possessions, call the employ-
ment agency, and leave for an immediate appointment . Your
4th Yao . Zhen or thunder is stuck . . co-workers think you are callous and unfeeling .
2. There will be twists and obstacles if your problem or issue is no t
Zhan(r$) settled promptly .
3. It is a miserable end which you are driving towards .
1. You make a breakthrough of great importance in your work . You
are all set to use it, you look around but find there is nothin g
happening to favor it or even oppose it . For the time being, you r
treasure is totally hidden .
2. Don't stop your task halfway .
3. You should shun the extremes and to maintain the middle course .
i-$ • N a3 1, • M3E0
5th Yao . Zhen or thunder comes and goes . Danger. But nothing i s
lost, and there are things to be done .

e1 Zhan (L )
I . Fate attacks you from a dozen directions, one attack at a time ,
like a madhouse . Somehow you sense the only wise thing to do —
adapt to each surprise as it comes, and after it is all passed, yo u
will have survived to do something worthwhile .
2. Every person has weakness as well as strengths, so the important wa y
is how to take advantage of the good side and avoid or correct th e
weak side.
3. There is no way of telling his or her real intentions .

6th Yao . Zhen or thunder brings ruin and people gaze about terrified .
To go ahead is bad luck . If thunder has not yet touched you, bu t
it has already reached another, there will be nothing to blame . Although
one's friends will be gossiping about you .


3 44 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 34 5

i
Yin K 1. A monkey offers a letter with the two Chinese characters V It

52 Mountain abov e
Mountain belo w
meaning northeast on it . One will be finding friends in the north -
east .
Mountain 2. A monkey holds a document . The information one is anxiousl y
awaiting will be received on the day related to the monkey .
3. An official holds a mirror . This means a virtuous official, as th e
mirror was often used as a salutation to the judge in old China .
( AAA )
4. Three people are tied to each other with rope . This means a lo t
of trouble and conflict until the day of the monkey, when ther e
will be an opportunity to resolve it .

(fi? i Image and Symbo l

The image is of a fish trying to escape from a net .

The symbol is being at a giddy height, which continues to get higher ,
little by little .
--3q
nq qq

Yin or mountain . He keeps his spine still like a mountain so he n o

longer feels his body . He goes into the courtyard and does not see hi s
fellows . There is nothing to blame .

Zhan (1:$ ) or hints on divining

1. This is an April hexagram, it is good in winter, bad in spring an d

fall .
2. Yin is a pure hexagran . In traditional Taoist meditation it is use d
as a guide to cultivating Chi energy and concentration of in the bac k
and spine .
3. You have taken up personal meditation for some mo,,ths now ,
and one day you find the calmness you have sought . You feel


3 46 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 347

alive, yet somehow unbothered by anything, you see things tha t

before excited your sense of conflict but now appear as just th e Zhan (r$ )
movement of life . When you take your place actively in all this ,
you are calm and make no mistakes . 1 . You decide to reform yourself seeking absolute perfection immedi-
q ately . You eliminate bad habits, such as smoking, drinking an d
YaoTsi( ~ xr ` ) qq overeating . There are no exceptions . After three days, you fee l
J like your body and mind are being torn apart by the pressures, an d
you have to do something — even revert to bad habits! — to brin g
1st Yao . He keeps his toes at rest . There is no blame . Continue d yourself back into some kind of balance .
persev ring works well . .
2. The only way you can make decisions is let bygones be bygones
3. Since we are already here, let ' s make ourselves at home .
Zhan ( c$ )

4th Yao . He keeps his trunk at rest . There is nothing to blame .

1. You enter a room full of people at a party . You stand there motion -
less, looking around you and taking in all the activity . Then yo u
see some people whose activities and talk attract you, and yo u
push over there to see what is going on .
2. Mastery is the result of long practice or training .
3. One does not realize the difficulty of an undertaking unless on e
has experienced it before .
AL— • R.; • TMAI • A'G?T ;
2nd Yao . Keeping his calves motionless . He can't save the perso n
he follows . His heart is not happy .
1-'fJ4 r 1'x ,
x 4 x 4 . 4
.than (r$)
I . You have learned to maintain a kind of composure that require s
an effort of force, but just a little . You are making progress .
2. When your nasty mother-in-law comes to visit, you exert your wil l
power to "be empty ." So as not to be bothered . This is a littl e
artificial, but it is a lot better than when you used to bicker wit h
her.
3. It is not a good time for vacation or traveling .

,
Zhan (u
r )
.
T
4 ~+. ♦ n 4 k.1 r -41 i
5th Yao . He keeps his jaws still . His words are orderly . Remorse
fades.
1. You go out with some friends to celebrate . For some reason the y
get in a rowdy mood and decide to make a disturbance . Yo u Zhan ( r$ )
instantly see it will end badly and pull back, but you can do nothin g
to stop them . You feel sad to see the trouble they get themselve s 1. You used to babble a lot when you were under pressure, but you'v e
into reached a stage now where you control yourself a little more . An d
2. There is too little meat for so many wolves . this gives you a little more of an edge in keeping trouble away .
3. Don't be too ambitions at this time ! 2. You can be a very successful orator, a pastor or a lawyer . Becaus e
you are very eloquent, your statement will be received with respect .
3rd Yao. He keeps his waist at rest . He makes the sacrum bone o f 3. When speaking of the devil the devil appears .
his spine stiff . Danger . The heart stifles . Y`C • •O
lL •
6th Yao . You keep still like a mountain in a noblehearted way . Goo d
luck. 0


3 48 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 349

iv-
Zhan ( ur )

1. The struggles and sufferings and mistakes you went through t o

Jian
learn composure are all in the past now, and you live fully by a
standard you previously only only dream of . 53 -~ Wind above
Mountain belo w
2. The suspicions have dissolved completely . Graduall y
3. Do not employ a person one distrusts . One must trust the perso n
he employs .

350 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 35 1

u
If a patient who consults I Ching gets the Jian, it is a very evil omen .
Window of the hexagram
n 4. A friend who has contact with a big company gets them to mak e
a small order from your firm . "This is just the start," he warns ,
1. A lookout post is set on a high place . The purpose is to try t o and sure enough, after a year of small orders, they decide the y
see things more clearly . trust your integrity and shift a lot of business to you .
2. A . pottery jar for cooking medicinal concotions is on the ground .
00 0
One should take protective measures in advance . 0 Yao Tsi ( I 2 ) 0
O
3. An official climbs a ladder . This means to soar higher and higher .
4. A branch of flowers lays on the ground . This means to flunk a
competitive examination for a job or, be denied admission to a 1st Yao . The wild goose gradually comes near to the shore . The
school . youngest son faces danger. There is a lot of talk. There is nothing to
blame .
U" ma and Symbo l
Zhan (1:$ )
A tai * • 'J'»'c*2 •
The image is to plant trees in the high mountains . 1. You take up a new venture, neither your friends nor your family
The symbol is to accumulate the small until it is developed into th e will support you, and you go on alone, a little worried, bu t
large . determined . Because of your personal determination you finally
win through to success.
O 00
0 Kua Tsi (&T' ) O 2. A promise has barely been made before it is broken .
3. Over-confidence in one's skill may bring him disaster.
A-•hT•~Ctn7$rr• O
Jian or Gradually . The maiden is offered in marriage . Good luck . It is 2nd Yao . The wild goose gradually nears the cliff. There is food an d
a time to persevere . drink in peace and sharing . Good luck . 0
17,4 x4x♦x4 .,c4 . 4 y
~? . Zhan ( ) or hints on divining Zhan ( )
4 X♦ Y_1 . 4 x..4 x-4L

1. This is a January hexagram, it is good in spring, summer and fall ,
bad in winter .
2. Jian means to follow in proper sequence, to plant one's feet o n
solid ground, to do a job honestly and make gradual progress .
3. If we change Jian's 5th Yang Yao to a Yin Yao, it becomes a pur e
hexagram, Yin or Mountain . So jian is a quihŭn hexagram .
x
1. On the first anniversary of your new venture you have a dinne r
party for your friends to share your happiness with them con-
cerning your successful fortune .
2. There is still much to learn after one has grown old .
3 . If a patient gets this Yao, he is in a very serious condition .
• iii{ T*• ( l • J •
3rd Yao. The wild goose comes over the pleateau . A man goes forth
and never returns. A woman is pregant but has a miscarriage . Bad
luck. It is a good idea to fight off thieves .

Jian Yin


352 The Tao Of 1-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 35 3

is the same as a talented person ; his ability may be his own ruin .
Zhan (ci ) 3. You always feel grateful for a kind act and plan to doublely repay it .
tlti MI1 2

J fit.• ~I •XiD7 .fii • • 0

1. Your business is successful but a friend comes to try to draw yo u
into a "big venture" where you'll make "ten times more money ."
You look it over, realize you're poorly prepared for it and that if
you fail, you will be bandrupt . You stick with your presen t
business and concentrate on getting people to pay their bills mor e
promptly.
2. It is a dilemma, difficult both to proceed and to retreat .
3. You will lose much more than you gain .
)L • • A 141M 0 you did.
4th Yao. The wild goose comes upon a tree . Maybe it will find a fla t
branch . Nothing to blame . 0
6th Yao. The wild goose gradually comes near the high plains ., It s
feathers can be used in the sacred dance . Good luck . 0
Zhan (L i )
I
1. You retire from your job and take up engrossing personal interests ,
having a healthy old age . Years later you return to your former
workplace for a visit and find stories still circulate of spirited thing s
2. Your reputation is well supported by fact .
3. You will become famous all over the nation .

Zhan(t$

1. You and your wife move to a motel near your new job, and fin d
there is no housing available . You scour the neighborhoo d
thoroughly and finally find a suitiable apartment you can settle i n
for row .
2. The wild goose chooses a tree when it comes to rest, so one shoul d
choose the right place to be or the right leader to serve.
3. It's too late to take corrective measures when a crisis has alread y
developed .
~~+y, ~~,qp1 ._yy.
• T1 *J k • l iA"f • Art' ATI • b • 0
~
+
~

5th Yao . The wild goose gradually comes toward the summit . For thre e
years the woman has no child . Fianlly, nothing can stop her. Goo d
luck. 0

Zhan (rs )

1. You get a job from a man you've known socially for years an d
been friendly with . Now all of a sudden he is aloof and reserved
and does nothing to encourage your hard work . A year later he
suddenly becomes friendly again, and you find out one of his truste d
employees told bad stories about you, and finally got found out .
2. The trees in the mountain are felled because timber is useful . This


3 54 The Tao Of 1-Ching j Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 35 5

n Window of the hexagra m

Guimei #,gi
54
1. An official rides on a deer's back and points at the clouds wit h
Thunder abov e his index finger . This means to have an ambition for things tha t
Lake belo w are not presently available or obtainable .
Marrying Sister 2. A fawn follows its mother . To advance smoothly in officialdom .
3. The Chinese character 3'C meaning "literature" is on a flag hanging
from a lookout post . This means the information one is anxiousl y
expecting will be coming soon .
4. A man stumbles and falls on thorns, his passenger helps him ge t
out. People help those who help themselves.

Image and Symbo l

The image is the sun obscured by threatening clouds .

The symbol is a time when Yin and Yang have no interrelation .
C` 0
a Kua Tsi ( _E ) 0
0
J
• I•TJ •
Gŭimei or the marrying sister. Doing things now is bad luck . There
is no enterprise that will go well .

Zhan ( 25 )
Zhri or hints on divining

1. This is a July hexagram . It is good in summer and winter, ba d

in spring and fall .
2. If we change Gŭimei's 5th Yao Yin to Yang, it becomes a pur e
hexagram Tui or Lake, so Guimei is a gŭihŭn hexagram .
54 51
x .

If a patient asks I Ching and gets Gŭimei, the condition is very


356 The Tao Of I-Ching
serious .
3 . To do your civic duty you get yourself elected to the school board .
After the first meeting, seeing the intense and complex busines s
being handled, you realize it will be a year or so before you ca n
fit into the group well and take on any important assignments .
C— But you didn't have the money . You wound up deciding to driv e
o
Yao Tsi ()J jt ) o
° a milk truck for a big firm . It has none of the freedom, indepen-
r:
1st Yao . The marrying sister as a concubine . Like a lame man wh o
is able to walk . Doing things is good fortune.
Zhan ( ) 4th Yao . The marrying sister goes beyond the allotted time . The n
1. Frankly you got the job because you were a friend of the boss '
son . Everyone knows you are a worker, too, and you are treate d
with friendliness but not yet accorded any respect . You do you r
simple chores quietly without showing off, and now and then yo u
have a chance to earn a little merit when an opportunity occurs .
2. Even a lame trutle can travel a thousand miles ; this means persistenc e
insures success .
3. Your doing is enough for you to be proud of .
Otte . f 11
2nd Yao . A one-eyed man who can still see . It is a good thing fo r
a solitary man to persevere .
EC .* 4.4-x..4-4 4'x4-4 4
Zhan( r:S ) 1 5th Yao .
Tor ♦ 41 x 4 r1 x . +1i
1. You signed up for the job because there was opportunity openin g
up in that department . Then a sudden turn of fate made thing s
completely unfavorable . You sit around and have almost nothin g
to do . Still, you keep things orderly and devote what good wor k
you can to your employer .
2. The eyes cannot see the eyelashes, which means that one does no t
have a correct appraisal of one's own ability .
3. Some are blind in the eyes but not in the mind .
=• kL'tM•1 13 •
3rd Yao . The marrying sister as a slave . She marries in the role of a
A
Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 357
concubine .
i=SZZ Z Z= .S Z
Zhan ( ~$ )
Zi=22=111.22 :31 :Z S
1. You were going to buy a rig and become and independent trucker.
dence, and chances to make money, but is a steady job . You .don' t
know whether you like it or hate it .
2. You are a woman of great capability, but don't have a good marriage .
3. One should retire when one has ridden the crest of success .
a late marriage comes along .
Zhan (r )j
1. You never made the grade as a writer the way you wanted to i n
your younger years, and decided to go into a different busines s
rather than just be one of the thousands of "hacks ." Now in you r
middle years, the chance you always wanted comes along, an d
you take it .
2. It is better to live in retirment and wait for a comeback in publi c
life .
3. A change of place is advisable .
2'cE • z 2. • 4•AOt •A • • 0
The King I gave his daughter in marriage . The princess'
embroidered gowns were not as pretty as those of the servant girl .
The moon that is almost full brings good luck . 0
Zhan(L )
1. No one knows your wife came from a rich family and gave u p
a fortune to marry you . They see how happily you get on togethe r
and are sure that must mean she came from a simple backgroun d
like you .
2. A large capital will yield a large profit .
3. The leaves of firs and cypress are always the last to fall .


35 8 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 359

6th Yao. The woman holds a basket that has no fruit in it . The ma n
stabs a sheep and no blood flows from it . Nothing is worth doing . 0
Fen g
Zhan (c$ )

1. A couple you know marries and they seem to do it just becaus e

55 Thunder abov e
Fire belo w
Prosperit y
they have nothing better they can think of to do . You don't thin k
much of the marriage and are not surprised when they have al l
sorts of troubles after a couple years .
2. Good tools are prerequisite to the successful execution of a job .
3. A smart young woman has a much older, dim witted man for a
husband .


3 60 The Tao Of 1-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 36 1

Window of the hexagram Yao Tsi ()~ 2 Si. ) b

1. The bamboo tube is burned to ashes . Good luck in springtime . 19JL • ii1ti1E • ' l7TtT' • tt*IW •
2. The dragon and snake contrast each other . This is sign of changes . 1st Yao . When a man meets his fated king, they can be together te n
3. An official wearing a uniform is standing there . This mean s days and it isn't a mistake . To go out and do things will lead to recogni-
wait for something that is imminent . tion .
4. There is a small box. This means harmony .
5. A man plays a Sheng ( ), a Chinese musical instrument . This rZhan (ur ) 1
means to be beside oneself with happiness .
6. To ride on a tiger is a very dangerous situation . 1. You plan to go fishing alone, but you meet an old-timer and strik e
up an imprompt friendship with him . He tells you of a secret
Image and Symbo l fishing hole where the catches are good and you both go there ,
coming home with the biggest catch of the year .
rf' 3 2J • M 191* • 2. You can act as circumstances may require without asking fo r
The image is to be as bright as the sun at noon . approval from superiors .
The symbol is to step into the brightness of today and say good-b y 3. You have done nothing to make you feel shameful .
H {{_-,k4
to the darkness of the past . /\— • alb • • ttf,iW • 7 • G •
2nd Yao . The curtain is so thick that the polestars are visible at noon .
a Kua Tsi (3`~
0
0 Through going out you will meet with distrust and hate . If you arous e
0
him through Truth, good fortune comes .
.
r~~ nvx~xl x.♦ r

Feng or prosperity is successful . The king earns abundance . Don' t Zhan(ŭ )i

be sad . Be like the sun at high noon .
Zhan ( ) or hints on divining
1. This is a Septmber hexagram, it is good in spring, bad in fall .
2. When the sun has reached meridian, it begins to decline . When th e
moon has become full, it begins to wane . This principle exists even
move with the affairs of men !
3. Your boss is so skilled that when an unusual demand for you r
company's product comes along, in a few months you sell mor e
than you have the past three years . Everyone is busily occupie d
and happy, for there is a special bonus coming along . In anothe r
month the "boom" will be over, but everyone thinks of the present .
i
4~. ♦)c1 n, $4 xY1 1
1. You join a sports club, but there is . so much bickering you cannot
join up with another outstanding athlete you see who you'd g o
well with . You say nothing and when there are trials, you perfor m
at your best and he sees for himself you're suited as a good player .
2. After work is done, those who did the work are layed off .
3. A single tree cannot make a forest which means one person canno t
handle all the tasks by himself .
)l,E•M.Airi• HI=IIJt*•#fr •
3rd Yao . The underbrush is so thick that the small stars can be see n
at noon . He breaks his right arm . No blame . •
Zhan (r$ )
1 . You joined the protest demonstration because you sincerely


362 The Tao Of 1-Ching

favored the good, but now you see it has degenerated into a sho w
of total anarchy for undiciplined negative types . You hold bac k
T Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 363

and will no longer talk equally to anyone . Everyone is disgusted

with him and won't have anything to do with him . He is lonel y
trying to do anything because there is nothing to be done, and g o and dangerously out of touch .
your way . 2. The more one tries to cover up a secret, the more it will becom e
2. Discipline tends to get lax as time goes by . known .
3. You ask about something you already know . 3. Neglected matters must be dealt with .

4th Yao. The curtain is so thick that the polestars can be seen at noon .
He meets his ruler; who is the same kind of person . Good luck .

Zhan ( )

1. The club you belonged to collapsed of its own bad conduct an d 1

laziness. As you leave, you meet one of the members who ha d
been a sincere worker . You join and talk of the possibility o f
someday getting a better group together .
2. You should avoid someone as if he or she is the plague .
3. What is done cannot be undone !

5th Yao . Lines are appearing, blessing and fame are appearing . Goo d
luck . 0

Zhan( r$ )

1 . Your club elects a new leader who is unusuall responsive to goo d

. All the right people show up to let himYadvice know of opportuni-
ties opening up . He knows how to bring them to fruition, an d
everyone benefits greatly .
2. The first prize will go to the nimblest .
3. Haste makes waste .
±A • AE • A* • AP ' NA5tA • =ATE • U •
6th Yao . His house is full of prosperity . But he screens himself off
from his family . He peers through a crack in the gate and no longe r
sees anyone . He sees nothing for three years . Bad luck .

Zhan ( )

1 . Your friend made a lot of money and purchased luxuries for himself


3 64 The Tao Of [-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 36 5

ru.■1 Window of the hexagra

m n
L mrz
56
1. There are three stars . The lucky star shines brightly .
Fire above ' 2. A high-ranking person fishes from the platform . This indicates
Mountain below transcending material desires .
Traveler 3. A monkey and a ship . Good luck related to the hour, day, mont h
and year of the monkey or of the ship .
4. A stream runs . This means to have the prospect of a very successfu l
career, with its riches coming in an endless flow .

Image and Symbo l

The image is like a bird's nest that was set on fire by somebody .
The symbol is flourishing followed by withering when it reaches a n
extreme .
q 0
Kua Tsi ( 00
/
C—

Lu or the traveller . Success is won through smallness . Persevering i s

good luck to the traveller .

Lhan ( z E ) or hints on divining

1. This is a May hexagram . It is good in spring, bad in fall and winter .

It may mean lost money in summer .
2. Lu tends to refer to travel, but this is not the kind of travellin g
we know today where we usually think of excitement and enjoy-
ment . In ancient times, travel meant great danger and hardship .
We need only think of the settlers of the American west travellin g
in their covered wagons and facing possible starvation, no water ,
and attack by Indians to get an idea of what is meant by Lu .
3. You go on an overseas vacation, renting an auto and travelling b y
yourself rather than choosing a " package tour ."


366 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 367
C— -q
YaoTsi(i,i ) q ®•~ 'MA W
4th Yao . The traveller rests in a stopping place . He gets his property
JJ i\ • i A M • lr X h > k • •
and an ax . His heart is not pleased . .
1st Yao . If the traveller involves himself with petty things, he bring s
r
bad luck to himself . e
Zhan(r )
Zhan ( ^rS )
1. Your trip goes well and brings you riches, yet you always want
more and make yourself unhappy with your discontent .
1. You meet a good natured ruffian on your travels and go drinkin g
2. You have to forge ahead in disregard of obstrcles and failures .
with him and he steals your wallet .
3. An ice sheet of three feet in thickness takes more than one col d
2. Water flowing out in a trickle takes a long time to be exhausted .
day to forms which means the grudge or animosity has a deep root .
3. Can you imagine and understand outside of the sound the musica l
instrument is making ?
5th Yao . He shoots a pheasant and it drops with the first arrow shot .
AT- •• > • This comes to bring him both praise and occupation . 0
2nd Yao . The traveller comes to the inn . He has his goods with him .
He wins the loyalty of a young servant . ti Zhan ( )
IZA ~. . x 1 .• ♦ r 4 _ ♦ ~

t .Than ( ),
1. You are looking for things to do . You meet people who are im-
pressed by your courtesy add when they hear of your particula r
1. You find yourself be friend by good people who are impressed b y
skills, they offer you some work and friends for a while .
your manners . A young fellow who is travelling trows in his lo t
2. You will win an enduring fame that spreads throughout the world .
with you for a few days .
3. Many buckets of water will make a river .
2. Friendship lasts as long as money does .
±.A• , *AI•ERStc 't IA•RATA•M • •
3. If you put an awl in a bag it may be temporarily hidden but wil l
6th Yao . The bird's nest burns. The traveller laughs first, then wind s
eventually pierce the bag and show itself .
up lamenting and weeping . He loses his cow through carelessness .
Bad luck. 0
3rd Yao . The traveller's inn burns down . He loses the loyalty of hi s
young servant. He is in danger . 40

Zhan ( )
]. You argue with some people you meet who you hardly know ,
for no good reason . Your young companion sees your rudenes s
and deserts you, taking their side .
2- It is like using gas to put out a fire, which means to make things
worse .
3 . He who has wealth suddenly speaks louder than others .
1. You spend all your day enjoying yourself and having fun withou t
a thought of anything else and then when night falls it is too lat e
to find a place to stay, and you spend the night on a cold bench.
2. You are busy all day long for nothing .
3. One should start thinking about changes when one is in an extremel y
distressed or difficult state .


368 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 36 9

u Window of the hexagra m

Su n
57
1. A person kneels to accept a piece of cloth granted by a high-rankin g
Wind above official . This means hoist the sail when there is wind .
Wind belo w 2. A snow goose has brought a message from the clouds . This mean s
Win d to sing in joy .
3. A person rides on a tiger's back . This is an awkward position fro m
which there is no retreat .
4. A person hits the tiger. This means having fear now, but safet y
later.
5. A tiger runs away . A dangerous situation has passed away .

Image and Symbol

Ill rr 1~ • ±T •
The image is when the wind blows, the grass bends .
The symbol is that the deeds of the superior person are imitated b y
lesser people .

0C—
0 KuaTsi (( :F) 0

Sŭn or the wind brings success through what is small . It is a time to b e

active and to see an influential person .

Lhan ) or hints on divining

1. This is an April hexagram . It is good in summer and winter, ba d

in fall .
2. Sun is a pure hexagram, it can be like a strong storm that wreck s
a ship . If a patient gets this hexagram, he is in a very dangerou s
condition.
3. You buy a fine horse that no one can manage and that has harme d
people . Each day you patiently approach the beast and wait . Afte r
many days it sees you will not harm it and begins to become you r
friend.


370 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 37 1

2. It's your fault . The only thing you can do is to keep quiet and bea r
q Yao Tsi ( ICI:- ) q
0
the insults.
3 You have ambition for things beyond what is presently availabl e
or obtainable.
1st Yao . In advancing and retreating, the perseverance of a warrio r
is what to cultivate . 4th Yao. Disappointment disappears . During hunting, three kind s
of game are caught. 0
Zhan ( )
Zhan(ŭ )
1. You see an opportunity that is not quite right yet and are draw n
to it, then retreat a little, then you back and fill indecisively . Finall y 1. You undertake a project that suits your abilities with great car e
you make up a clear plan of just how you will act according t o and energy . Everything works out well .
circumstances . Now you know how to be . 2. Things are seemingly peaceful and people live thoughtlessly wit h
.
2. You have too little power or resources to do as much as you wish an illusory sense of security . You realize lurking dangers coul d
.. You ~will draw criticisms at every move . appear and you remain sobere and cautious .
3{/ g 3. The whole plan maybe ruined by a last minute mistake or negligence .
• V
L .-. . ST • M ~YJ 17 •
JY] • 13 F~l

2nd Yao . Sŭn or the wind . Penetrating under the bed . You use a fl y • A • ~J•~EI7 3tc1 -El Ei • p • 0
large number of priests and magicians . Good luck . Nothing to blame . 5th Yao . Persevering is good luck . Disappointment disappears . There
4 4
is nothing that does not help . There is no beginning without a comple-
4 4

Zhan (r$) I .
1. Suddenly people seem a little cold towards you for no reason .
You ask a friend and he says something vague and unfriendly . You.
become determined and ask and ask and ask . Finally you discove r
someone has told lies about you that superficially fit your disposi-
tion, and no one knows whether to trust you anymore . You brin g
out the real truth with proofs, and people become more at eas e
again.
2. Let everybody mind his own business .
3. Your talent is like a pearl left in the deep sea .
3rd Yao . Repeated penetration . You are at a dead end .
Zhan ( 1:$ ) 6th Yao .
1- You investigate a course of action, then the next day you are unsur e
and go over it again thoroughly . You feel unclear and go over i t
again . Time passes and finally the opportunity is completely lost .
tion . Before you change, three days, after your change, three days .
Good luck . Q
Zhan ( r$ )
1. You see your fortunes are failing, yet the basics are good . It i s
time to fine tune improvements, and you deliberate carefully befor e
acting, and then keep careful track when things are set in motio n
to see they work right . Good fortune results .
2. Only people of similar character and disposition can become good
friends.
3. Don't try to remember the good deeds you have done for others .
Instead, remember what others have done for you .
• lEtt -F • OA >T ° il2l • ~
Siin or the wind penetrating under the bed . He lost his
property and an ax . He has bad luck .


3 72 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 37 3

Zhan ( )
Du i
58
1. You should go to your parents' place in order to seek their sincer e
advice . Lake abov e
2. It is like trying to kill a fly with a long spear. Lake below
3. Worms breed only when things have already started rotting . Lake


374 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 375

Window of the hexagram n Zhan ( )

n
1. A person sits on a yoke used for carrying things on the shoulders . 1. You work very hard, yet things around you are stimulating an d
This means to relax a little, to lay down one's responsibilities . good . Your desires are simple and fulfilled .
2. The moon in the sky is an omen of a union . 2. A good-natured person has a good chance of getting rich .
3. A woman stands by a small box . This is an ideal time for a wedding . 3. Obedience is a better way of showing respect than outwar d
4. An arrow is placed on a document . This means to be the first nam e reverence .
on the list . JL • 7- • A •
y am+
178 E

5. A scholar steps onto the pavilion . Means to make a sudden ris e 2nd Yao . You are sincere in joyousness . Good luck . Disappointmen t
in one's career or social position . disappears .
Er-4 .4..4x ♦ -,(.4 - X ♦ x
Image and Symbo l Zhan (ur )
&4 .*, $w .,44 +1J

1. Friends tell you, you should want lots of money for luxuries, bu t
The image is that of lakes and rivers providing nourishment and refresh- you see you already have what you want and this would only bu y
ment to everything . you dissipation and unhappiness . They finally see this and giv e
The symbol is a seasonable rain that has fallen everywhere . up bothering you .
2. Lack of forbearance in small matters upsets great plans .
of Kua Tsi ( 37- f : ;(Y) g 3. A lie, if repeated often enough, becomes a truth to the listener .
S
AE•*i•V l
• RA 3rd Yao . Joyousness comes to you . Bad luck .
Dŭi or the lake is successful . Now is a time to persevere .
ttZrtZ .Zt :ZttZt t

Zhan ( ) or hints on divinin g C Zhan (r

rtZZZZ"ZttZttZt r
)

1. You never have any mind of your own, and the minute you finis h
1. This is an October hexagram, it is good in spring and fall, bad i n working, you take any distraction that offers itself . The result is yo u
summer, means possible sickness in winter . become even more distracted and characterless .
2. Dui or the lake has the meaning of joyousness . It is a pur e 2. The cart is worn down and the horse is weary .
hexagram . 3. You have good fortune or success in love affairs .
3. After working hard and doing well, you see the opportunity fo r •
JL P9•AR* • .4i&
an interesting short vacation, and instead of merely dissipating 4th Yao . Joyousness that weighs things is not peaceful . After getting
yourself, you go out and have a wonderful time . rid of his mistakes, a man is joyful .
0
0
Yao Tsi ( l A X ) 0 0;21 Zhan ( G$ )
~— J
"IIJ JL • • • O 1 . You can 't decide which kind of diversion to pursue during you r
1st Yao . You (eel contented joyousness . Good luck . 0 free time. Finally you look at them and see they are different


3 76 The Tao Of I-Chine Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 377

kinds of empty glamour that can't bring you any satisfaction . Then
you begin to see what you really like, and feel relieved and happy .

1 59 H u a n ;4
.
2. You ought to pursue good fortune and shun the course of calamity .
3. It is like someone who tries to avoid a small pit only to fall into a
deep well . Wind above
Water belo w
5th Yao. Sincerity towards dissipating influences is dangerous .
Dispersion
Zhan ( )
r
1. You meet some very pleasant, interesting people, but as you begi n
to get to know them you see that none of them develops any sens e
of personal purpose, they just wander . You realize this can't mak e
you happy, and you let them go .
2. What you are doing is cheating yourself and others.
3. When a big tree comes down, all the monkeys on it will disperse .

6th Yao. Joyousness that is seductive .

Zhan ( )

1. You are drawn by first one kind of pleasure, then another . Yo u

never exercise your own initiative or try to discover what yo u
want . People say "nothing will ever become of him" and the y
are right .
2. One has to think about the unfavorable rather than the favorabl e
possibilities of a situation .
3. No use crying over spilled milk .


378 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 37 9
q o
YaoTsi(Jx ) q
Window of the hexagram C q
n
1. A temple is in the mountain . This means to be extremely aloof fro m 1st Yao . He brings help and has the strength of a horse . Good luck .
mundane affairs .
2. A monk . Symbolizes a peaceful and pure person . Zhan ( )
3. A person follows the monk . This represents availing oneself to a
life of leisure . 1 . Your friends are inspired with a grand idea and project and as the y
4. A ghost follows this person . This suggests being prudent in makin g begin to work out the arrangements they start to argue . You quickl y
sta. ements and careful in personal conduct . join the discussion, and work unceasingly to clear away trivia l
5. A ';od wearing golden armor . This means receiving Heaven's help . disagreements so the plan can go forward .
2 . You work very hard like travelling on horseback without stopping .
Image and Symbol 3 . Even with a team of four horses, it is difficult to overtake carelessl y
uttered words.
I1K* rrtff2. tZ* • igt
The image is to sail a boat with the current . 2nd Yao . At the dissolution, he hurries to join that which supports
The symbol is strong wind sweeping things away . him . Disappointment disappears .
1"z4 - 4_, 4 4 4 ♦`
a
0 Kua Tsi ( C ' q Zhan (GS )
-
C

1. You find yourself dwelling on your fortunes and discontente d

Huan or dispersion brings success . The king comes to his temple. It is
a time to cross the great water . It is a time to persevere .
Zhan ( ) or hints on divining
1. This is a March hexagram, it is good in summer and winter, bad i n
fall .
2. Huan or dispersion is like wind blowing over water . It disperse s
it, changing it into mist and foam . It is the same with our minds .
Through hardness and selfishness, we become rigid, the rigidit y
leads to separation from others . We need warm spring breeze s
to dissolve the rigidity, when a boat is crossing a river, all hand s
must unite in joint task .
3. Friends invite you to join a party out in the country to "celebrat e
spring . " It sounds silly to you, but when you go, the day is so '
beautiful and everyone is so happy that you come home feelin g
twice as alive and full of good feeling as when you left .
with the help others give you . Then you think, I am just in a ba d
mood, and you go out and visit good friends and find your viewpoin t
is healthy again .
2. You will suffer a setback in trying to take advantage of others .
3. One loves what is his own .
3rd Yao . He dissolves himself. No disappointment .
Zhan ( )
1. You take up a project that is so important to you that you giv e
up your personal impulses of like and dislike, and follow whatever
furthers the work . Your inspiration has such strength you fin d
this possible, and you prosper .
2. One should be prepared for possible future perils while enjoyin g
one's life .
3. A withered old tree suddenly puts forth new sprouts .


380 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 381

• • 5Eq • Fc • E APfr, • O 3. One may give financial aid to others in an emergency but should
4th Yao. He dissolves his links with his group . Highest good luck . not do so if they are perennially in need of money .
The dispersion leads again to accumulation . This is something commo n
people never think of . 0

Zhan ( )

1. Your interests begin to take you outside your circle of friends ,

and you let this happen without worrying . Later you find you'v e
developed further as a person, and are more interesting to old friend s
and new alike .
2. There is nothing wrong or improper about it .
3. It is like having a sweet shower after a long drought . You will ge t
something urgently needed after being deprived of it for a long time .
jL3i e- ffA 5A • ADM- • 5E11. • 0
5th Yao . His loud cries dissolve things like sweat . Dissolution . A
king goes without blame . 0

Zhan (rS )

1. One of your group gets a superior idea for a project for all and wil l
not ignore it . Others hear and are drawn to the notion, and th e
old stagnation that prevailed is dissolved .
2. There is no passing the buck .
3 Don't destroy the bridge after you have crossed the river, whic h
means to discard a person after he has outlasted his usefulness .

6th Yao . He dissolves the blood . Leaving, or keeping at a distanc e

or going away is without blame .

Zhan( u
r )

I . You and your friends are relaxing in the park, when you se e
suspicious looking characters approaching . You alert them, an d
while someone goes to call police, the rest of you retreat to a
safe place .
2 . It is not wise to concentrate on details while forgetting mai n
purpose or objective .


382 The Tao Of 1-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 383

Window of the hexagram n

Ji p n

60
1. It rains cats and dogs . To give contributions to charity in ever y
Water above direction is suggested .
Lake below 2. A fish jumps out of the fire . This indicates an escape from death by
Limitation a narrow margin .
3. The sun's eyelashes — when the clouds open up, one sees the ligh t
of the sun . This means a turn of fortune for the better .
4. A cock stands on the roof . To crow is to give everyone the news .
5. A dog is in the well . A person is bullied by others when he is dow n
on his luck .

Image and Symbo l

The image is sailing a boat without wind, Nothing happens .

The symbol is the change of seasons .
C- 0
D 0
0 Kua Tsi ( 0

J i or Limitation is successful . Excess limitation should not be pursue d

with.

((~~ Zhan (r.S ) or hints on divining

1. This is an October hexagram, it is good in spring and summer, bad

in fall and winter.
2. Ji is the symbol of a bamboo joint as shown below .

;hollow inside


Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 38 5

384 The Tao Of 1-Ching

3 . You set up a new plan for regulating your life better . When you
4th Yao . Contented limitation is successful . O
find it is a little bit too harsh, you soften it just a little, and hol d
to that.
Zhan(ŭ) Sg
0 0
O Yao Tsi (J i ) 0
O
1. The limitations you have worked out for yourself fit you so wel l
VIJJL • Ti FA • ;it. and naturally, you are quite pleased with things .
1st Yao . Do not go out the door and the courtyard is blameless . 2. Every limitation has its value, which requires persistent effort i n
order to lead to success .
Zhan (~r$ ) 3. You enjoy peace and stability both physically and spiritually .
Jtf• a•ifpi• O
1. You see an opportunity that can improve your skills, but whe n 5th Yao . Sweet limitation is good luck . To act this way brings respect . O
you look at it closely, you see it would overtax you and mayb e
lose all . You keep with what you are working on . -ti Zhan ( )
2. Wealth and treasure is of secondary importance compared with time .
3. While there are things for which a 'foot is too short a unit of measure - 1. You told your friends what you were planning to do, but you
ment, there are things for which the inch can be long enough . This asked no special help of them, and did it on your own the bes t
means that every person has weak points as well as strong points . you could . They see what you've achieved, and want to do th e
)L-. • TMMA • ixi same now .
2nd Yao . Not going out the gate and courtyard brings bad luck . 2. Great men appear in response to the call of the times .
ru' Yx•-at 4-X4 •
3. One has a sense of shame and honor only when his livelihood i s
, Zhan ( .- ) • assured .

1. The "just right" opportunity you wanted is here . If you do no t 6th Yao . Excessive limitation . Persevering brings bad luck . Disappoint-
move now, you are cheating yourself . ment disappears .
2. Those who obey the mandates of nature will prosper while thos
e
who defy it will perish . Zhan ( )
3. The flying moth is forever attracted by the flame .
iA-.•TT •lI g 4• :E • • 1 . To catch up in your studies for an examination you worked da y
3rd Yao . He who doesn't follow limitations will lament . No blame. and night all week long . In this way you were able to pass, bu t
afterward you resolve to study more regularly and not have to d o
Zhan(c$ ) this again .
2. He who is in comfortable circumstances knows not the bitterness
1 . You got so enthused at the party that you ate and drank as if ther of misfortune .
e
was no tommorrow . Now tomorrow is here . 3. A moment's relief or pleasure can bring endless sufferings to come .
2. Those who are discriminated against will complain .
3 . You will realize the matter to be as urgent as your eyebrows catchin g
fire.


386 The Tao Of 1-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 38 7

Zhongfŭ + 1. To hope one's son will have his name on the document . This mean s

61 Wind abov e
Lake below
that where whole-hearted dedication is involved the whole worl d
will step aside to let you by .
Central Sincerit y 2. A person beats the night watchman ' s drum and copper gong . This
means to take precautions against calamity .
Pr
3. An official drags a deer with a cord . If one devotes oneself t o
the fullest, one will continue to have the prosperity one presentl y
has.
4. A snow goose holds a letter in its beak . Good news will come soon .

e = Image and Symbol .

The image is the crane calling out and her young ones responding .
The symbol is things changing with the passage of time .

L KhiaTsj(TJ) a

i
Zhongfŭ or central . Pigs and fishes . Good luck . It is a time to cros s
the great water . It is a time to persevere .

Zhan ( ) or hints on divining

1
1 . This is an August hexagram, it is good in fall and winter .
2. Zhongfŭ or central sinceity is symbolized by an egg . The 1st an d
6th Yao are the eggshell, 2nd and 5th Yao are the white of a n
egg . The 3rd and 4th Yao are the yolk as shown below .


388 The Tao Of 1-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 38 9

3 . Zhongfŭ is an youhŭn hexagram of 53 Jian .

you .
53 2 . You are like a crane standing among chickens, which means greaty '
52 61
surpassing the others .
x
3 . One can drink more than usual with a bosom friend .
i~ •I • W WGNAG'aMIk •
.
gtiihŭn 3rd Yao . He finds a comrade . Now he beats the drum, now he stops
pure Youhŭn Now he cries, now he sings .

If a patient consults the I Ching and gets Zhongfŭ, it is a very ba d

Zhan( ~$ )
omen.
4 . When you took the job of teacher you thought it would be boring .
1. When you were alone, you worried about yourself . Now you hav e
But now you find that to communicate things about life to people friends, and you worry about them, or you feel good becaus e
and to get them to pursue their own learning is a great pleasur e of them .
and inspiration .
2. Good fortune that comes after a long spell of bad luck .
3. You should reject evil ways and start on the right track .
YaoTsi( )
i
.
4th Yao . The moon is nearly full . The horse in the team strays off
There is nothing to blame .
1st Yao . It is good luck to be prepared . If there are secret designs ,
it becomes distracting.
Zhan (rS)

Zhan (G$ ) u
1. You never think yourself best, for that is excessive . When yo
look about to see how others are doing, you lose your own trai n
1 . You plan a public campaign for a good purpose and the newspape r
of activity for a moment and stagger, then regain it .
editor tells you privately not to worry, he will give it strong editoria l
support . Halfway through your work you realize you have bee n 2. The arrival of fortune or misfortune is unpredictable .
3. Careless talk always lands one in trouble .
easing off the intensity because of the expected support, and tha t
you don't really know if you will receive it .
2 . You should stick to what you are suited for . 5th Yao . He has truth, and it links together . Nothing to blame .
3 . You have spent your best years without any achievement .
j1,_• 9 1E •A-T-41Z•V*ll-TW•AAINOZ• 0 '"4 Zhan (G5 )
2nd Yao. A crane calls in the shade and its young one replies . I hav e
1. Your group never seems to have any trouble, because your leade r
a good glass, I will share it with you . 0 radiates self assurance, and everyone else sees and has it, too .
r-+x4x .4~c .4-X4x 4
2. It is sooner said than done .
Zhan (r$ )
4 x 4 icy .c 4' x-4 x.yjj 3. You work laboriously only to earn criticisms .
1 . Someone sees you doing something helpful to others out of a natura l
6th Yao . The cockcrow reaches to heaven . Persevering brings bad luck .
impulse . It reminds them of their own impulses, and they join with


390 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 39 1

Zhan (r )
Zraogu o
62
1. You depend on good words too much to nurture support . The y
can only do a small part of the job . Thunder above
2. Even if you were given wrings you couldn't fly away from thi s Mountain belo w
kind of situation . Small Passin g
3. Don't profit yourself at the expense of others .


392 The Tao Of 1-Chin g Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 393

n Window of the hexagram un

1 . A full moon is in the sky . When the bad days are over, everythin g
goes back to normal.
2. A man flips his cap under a tree . You will get a job with the govern -
ment .
3 . A person is trapped by a net . Another uses a knife to cut hi m
loose . This means the end of a boundless hardship . Xiaoguo also has the symbol of a soldier on guard at the door .
4. A watch post is set on a hilltop . This points to the prospect of a The upper trigram Zhen is a soldier, lower trigam Yin is the gat e
very successful career . as shown in picture above right .
3 . Xiaoguo is an Youhŭn hexagram of 54 Guimer .
Image and Symbol
54 58 62

The image is the sounds that come down from a flying bird .
The symbol is that to ascend is going against the current, while t o
descend is natural and right .

l
Pure Xiaogu o

1o:1
Gŭimei
0
a Kua Tsi (3rI A<
n
It is a very evil omen for a patient .

Xiaoguo or small passing . Success . It is a time to persevere . Smal l 0 0

Yao Tsi ( .'t}. 0
things can be done, but not great things . The flying bird brings a
message that it is not good to strive upward at this time . It is goo d
to remain below . The greatest good luck . 1st Yao . The bird meets with bad luck due to flying . 0

Zhan ( r$) or hints on divining Zhan (r$ )

1. This is a February hexagram . It is good in spring, summer an d
fall, not too bad in winter .
2. Xiaoguo or small passing has the symbol of a bird on the wing .
The 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th are the wings, 3rd and 4th are the bod y
of a bird as shown below left .
l . You could have remained at the lodge, but you loved to go skiing ,
so you went out when the conditions were obviously bad, and had
a bad fall.
2. A hungry person will eat whatever food is available .
3. Your are in a situation where you can neither proceed nor retreat .
A- • AAC • AAA ' BRA, 'AA'( ' '
2nd Yao . She passes by her ancestor and meets her ancestress . He
fails to reach his prince, and so meets the official . Nothing to blame .


3 94 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 39 5

R,►-x .4-x.Yx .- 5th Yao . There are dense clouds, but no rain from the western lands .
,.4-Zhan ) The prince shoots and hits the man who is in the cave .
4' w,-x-tx.+t
i

1. Your boss is busy with important things when you go to see hi m
about something . Rather than interrupt ; you take up the matte r
with his assistant, acting with as much authority as you have a t
the time to keep things going .
2. You are unable to do what you wish .
3. An unfair contest brings no honor to the victor .
3rd Yao . If you are not extremely careful, somebody may come u p
behind you and strike you down . Poor luck . 0
Zhan (c$ )
Zhan ( )
1. In local politics you get yourself placed in exactly the influential
position you want . But you find you can do nothing because yo u
have no good helpers . You start to look for them, aiming for people -
who have true ability, not flashy appearances .
2. The greater fortune one amasses, the greater the loss he will suffer .
3. It is better to leave a deficiency uncovered than to have it covered.
_EA • OAAZ • •VII • XINX.* • •
6th Yao . He passes him by, not meeting . The flying bird leaves him .
Bad luck and injury . 0

1. You learn your enemies will make an all-out attempt to attac k Zhan ( L )

you tomorrow . You think, "I shouldn't concern myself with suc h
petty people, my behaviour has been correct ." Then you think ,
well, they may try to seize on some meaningless point and blo w
it out of proportion and fool everyone, maybe I had better b e
very careful.
2. Your friend is a wolf in sheep's clothing .
3. One who has done something bad secretly, cannot look others i n
the eye .
1. You did an excellent job repairing your auto . But you decide d
you wanted even better results . You took it all apart again, an d
now all you have is a mess on your hands .
2. Instead of pretending to understand everything, one should liste n
more to others .
3. Although beginning a task from the bottom, one must not forge t
the ultimate objective.

4th Yao . There is nothing to blame . He meets him without passin g

by . To go out is dangerous . You must be on guard . Don't act . Bu t
be persevering . 0

Zhan(r$) ig

1. You find strong and hostile opposition to the project you ar e

working on . You yield to it and become inactive, while yo u
continue to constantly look for ways to forward it when the righ t
time comes .
2. One will get nowhere if he lacks single-mindedness and perseverance .
3 To do evil deeds frequently will bring ruin to the doer .


3 96 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 39 7

a*
Window of the hexagra m

Jiji e
63
1. A man stands on the bank watching a boat approach . This means t o
Water abov e receive timely assistance .
Fire below 2. There is a pile of coins symbolizing riches and wealth.
Finished 3. The rain is following . To receive favors.
4. Two children walk in the rain . One is young, but successful in one' s
career .
5. There is a document as an omen of luck .

Image and Symbo l

*VIM 1112. ia • f f AE pn •
The image is many boats making a river a prosperous one .
The symbol is the Yin matching the Yang .
0
? KuaTsi ( *P ) 00

Jfji or finished . There is success in small things . It is a time to persevere .

At the start there is good luck, a` the end, there is disorder .

Zhan (1:$ ) or hints on divining

1. This is a January hexagram . It is good in winter bad in summer .

2. The Yin Yao and Yang Yao are correctly arranged, each in it s
appropriate place . For it is just when perfect balance has bee n
reached that any movement may cause order to revert to disorder .
We should take thcught of misfortune and arm ourselves agains t
it in advance .
3. You reformed the politics in your small town . There is nothin g
big to do now, just keep things going . You know that things wil l
slowly start to fall apart and become corrupt again, but you als o
know that with constant care you can make it be a long time befor e
this happens .

398 The Tao Of 1-Ching
0 YaoTsi( l~sci ) qq
v 2. A great man will take time to shape and mature .
1st Yao . He brakes his wheels and gets his tail in the water . Nothing
to blame . e
Zhan ( r$ )
1. Your friends were so inspired by achieving an important commo n
goal, they immediately set off to try to achieve another too fa r
advanced . You hold back and have to put up with the nonsens e
that results, but do not get yourself in trouble .
2. You will suffer a major setback due to carelessness .
3. Heaven will always leave a door open .
A_•# OA •~1JA•-€H '
2nd Yao. The woman loses the curtain of her carriage . Don't run afte r
it . On the seventh day, you'll get it back .
* Zhan ( ) Zhan ( )
1. After the big company merger you go to your superiors to ge t
approval for some important work, and find they are careless an d
can't be bothered to listen to you . You accept their judgmen t
and hold back, a time will come when they see how important i t
is and come after you very quickly .
2. You will suffer a loss in one place but make a gain somewher e
else .
3. Time makes all the difference .
J.= •iii • - sz • d~A~J~
3rd Yao . The Kao Tsung disciplined the Devil's Country . After thre e
years, he conquered it . You must not employ inferior people .
Zhan ( )
After lengthy efforts, you finally succeed in expanding your chain s
of stores into poorer areas of the great city . You find out soo n
after your assistants are assigning all your least talented people
there . You tell them to clean house instead and put good people
Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 39 9
there or the territory will be lost .
3. You have already made careful plans for what you are doing .
4th Yao. The finest clothes can turn to rags . Be watchful all day long. .
Zhan(~$ )
1. There's a break-in in the neighborhood and you get alarmed an d
think of installing an alarm system . Then you forget about it, an d
a week later, five homes are broken into . Yours is one of them .
2. Psychological offense is the best of tactics .
3. Do not criticize or comment about something that is alread y
over.
5th Yao . The person in the east who slaughters an ox does not ge t
as much happiness as the fellow in the west with his small offering .
1. The rich people down the road have a big, flashy Christmas celebra-
tion and lots of luxuries, but no real friends . You find you are
many times happier attending the smaller celebration of your poore r
friend .
2. If you always think thrice before you act, what you have hope d
to happen comes to pass .
3. No mather how capable one is, he needs the help of others to d o
more or better work .
6th Yao . He gets his head in the water . Dangerous . 0
than ( )
1. You move heaven and earth to win through the hardships tha t
are now past . You find yourself looking back at this in awe, whil e
present conditions change without your paying attention to them .
2 . You have to handle something without rigid application of rules .
3 . A leopard leaves behind its skin when it dies .


40 0 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 40 1

Window of the hexagram Ltl

Weij i n

64
I . A man holds a long knife in his left hand and an ax in his righ t
Fire above hand . This means prestige and influence built up by keeping goo d
Water belo w faith .
Unfinished 2. A tiger sits on the ground . This means to suffer a drastic fall in one' s
prestige .
3. A flag is waving on the mountain . This symbolizes winning the firs t
match .
4. A man holds a flag . This is a token of authority .

Image and Symbo l

The image is emptying the lake to find the pearl .

The symbol is that worry proves a blessing to most people .
00
Kua Tsi (3C ) a

Weiji or unfinished . Success . But if the little fox gets his tail we t
after nearly crossing the stream, it doesn't further anything .

Zhan ( r$ ) or hints on divining

I . This is a July hexagram . It is good in wint bad in fall .

2. As you reach your driveway after driving through a long an d
dangerous snowstorm you feel so relieved that you relax you r
caution and immediately lose control and end up in the ditch .

YaoTsi( 4

1st Yao . He gets his tail in the water . Humiliation .

Zhan () _ Hints on divinin g

1 . The moving van has left and your possessions are scattered around


4 02 The Tao Of I-Ching Chapter Three The Cradle Of Chinese Culture 40 3

your new home . You decide you'll surprise your wife, and orde r 2. A wise person who knows what's best for himself can safe guar d
things without waiting for her help . She arrives to tell you th e his personal security .
200 pound couch you just dragged upstairs belongs downstairs . 3. The opportunity is ripe, now or never .
2. You have too little power or resources to do as much as you wish . • • JL Ill • R ~L.Yt • • •0
3. A single moon is much lighter than a thousand stars, which mean s 5th Yao . Persevering brings good luck . No disappointment . The ligh t
quality is more important than quantity . of the advanced man is true . Good luck . 0
• • 11 A •

2nd Yao . He brakes the wheels . Perseverance brings good luck . Zhan ( )
rc4 xVx4 x4x •x+ 1
Zhan ( `X$ ) 1. The battle is over and won, good things can happen now .
2. The Heaven has complied with man's wishes .
1. You hold off, but are ready to move at a moment's notice . 3. You have a great talent and an attentive mind .
2. It is too urgent to make a wise or careful choice . Rashness spoil s • 4 -f.PXI • ~E AA. •
chances of success . 6th Yao . There is drinking wine in an atmosphere'of real confidence .
3. To solve the key issue will expedite the solution of the whol e Nothing to blame . But if you wet your head, you lose it, truthfully .
problem .
i\— • c UEI~ fl,16kc11I • Zhan ( r5 )
3rd Yao . Weiji or unfinished, attack is bad luck . It is a time to cros s
the great water . 1. Everything is all set for the new time and all you have to do i s
Z.:i: wait and relax with friends . But if you get carried away and drunk ,
Zhan ( ~$ ) you may spoil what you worked so hard for .
.2 f.

2. One should know how to submit to the proper regulatives .

1. Your plans are blocked by strong opposition . You pull back, cal l
in your helpers, and plot an entirely new course of action to tak e
you through to the goal .
2. One can be austere if he has no selfish desires .
3. You have to do something no matter what the consquences .
A51 • 5Y A l_ • 777 7Fa • —'7" * • 0
4th Yao . Persevering brings good luck . Disappointment disappears.
Use shock to discipline the Devils Country . For three years, great
realms are given out . 0
3. We might think Jiji is appropriate for the last hexagram of th e
64, since it means finished, or completion . But such an arrange-
ment would give us a view of living as something static, havin g
an end . The I Ching sees life as an endless cyclic process, constantl y
going from Wu Chi to Tai Chi and then to a new Wu Chi and a
new Tai Chi . Thus the last hexagram is Weiji or unfinished, an d
it tells us that the completion of one cycle is the beginning of a ne w
one.

Zhan(r$)

Your side finally gets its chance and you all work with great energ y
to " clean house" in your debilitated company . It works because
no one faltered, and is followed by a period of regeneration an d
extended prosperity .